Page:Guide to the Bohemian section and to the Kingdom of Bohemia - 1906.djvu/240

206 Hora [Holy Mountain] where there is a famous shrine of the Holy Virgin.

Amongst the most interesting of the buildings is the ancient castle, in the past it was the residence of the archbishops, it is now occupied as a Mining Academy. In the town-hall are to be seen two fine ancient hymn-books [kancionály] along with some admirable 16 century miniatures. The hotels „U císaře Rakouského“ [Emperor of Austria] and the „Splíchal“ afford comfortable accommodation, the proprietor of the first-named undertakes arrangements for pleasant excursions by auto-mobile.

From Příbram [36 km] we go on to Čimelice, from whence the post takes us to the castle Orlík situated on the ridge of a high steep rock above the Vltava. Looking from the balcony an admirable view is enjoyed of the strikingly picturesque country with its wide valley, and winding river, the well kept park surrounded by extensive forests, such a scene as charms the tourist and fills the artist with rapture.

The castle museum belongs to the princes of Schwarzenberg, it exhibits a number of antiquities and trophies from Hungary and Italy.

From Orlík a trip should be made to Zvíkov (Klingenberg) formerly a royal castle and the residence of Wenceslaus I. (1230—1253), it is now the property of the Schwarzenbergs. It is situated on the ridge of a hill dividing the rivers Vltava and Otava near to the point of junction. The castle has a number of frescoes dating from the 15th. undand [sic] 16th. centuries. Visitors who ascend to the top of the tower are well repaid for their labour in the enjoyment of the wide panoramic view it presents.

The next halting place is Písek (89 km from Zdice). It is a large town having many good schools, a Municipal Museum, a horse stud under the control of the military authorities Industrial concerns such as tobacco factory, two breweries and a gun-making establishment.

There is an ancient royal castle, a remarkable old bridge with statues; this crosses the Otava,–the townhall and the decanal church complete the list of buildings most worthy of notice.