Page:Guide to the Bohemian section and to the Kingdom of Bohemia - 1906.djvu/187

157 Karel Špillar: Plzeňský trh—Market-Place. PLZEŇ (Pilsen).

The place is a regular quadrangle from which ten straight wide streets lead off at right angles to the four quarters. Nearly in the centre of the square, stands St. Bartolomeus’ church, a gothic building with tower, erected in the latter part of the XIIIth century. In the same neigbourhood is the Emperors house, so called because Rudolph II., occupied it when he visited Pilsen. The house is now used for the City and District offices. In the middle of the northern front of the place stands the Town-hall which is in the renaissance style of the XVIth. century.

Jaroslav Šetelík:. (Devil’s Lake). Bohemian Forest.

„Devil’s Lake“ is one of three great sheets of water in the Šumava (Bohemian Forest) at the foot of mount Špičák (Spitzberg) and situated in a deep valley surrounded by the great forest. The lake and the noble wood-land stretching as far as the eye can reach, present to all lovers of nature, a scene of surpassing grandeur!

The lake is of considerable depth, and the water,– even in sumer-time,– is of almost icy coldness. It is a favourite resort of tourists.

Karel Liebscher: KRUMLOV (Krumau). South Bohemia.

This fine old town which has done its share in the making of Bohemian history is beautifully situated on the banks of the river Vltava. To walk through its streets and view the quaint gabled houses with the old-style arcades, is to enjoy a pleasure of more than ordinary kind. The Castle, an ancient seat of the Lords of Rosenberg, built on the summit of a high rock above the river, forms a striking feature in the picture which KRUMLOV presents to those who avail themselves of its hospitalities.

Břetislav Jelínek: TROSKY. (Near Turnov.) Bohemia.

Now a ruin, between the cities of Turnov and Jičin in the North-East of Bohemia The position is most beautiful and altogether picturesque. The site of the old castle formed by two basald cones on which we see the remains of two towers. The western is called „BABA“ (old woman) and the one to the East is known as „PANNA“ (the virgin).

The castle was destroyed during the Thirty Years war and all that is standing now of the old stronghold, are the remains of the two towers and fragments of walls.