Page:Guide to the Bohemian section and to the Kingdom of Bohemia - 1906.djvu/255

221 (19 km). Above the town rises the castle of the principal branch of the princely house of Lobkovic. a huge building containing 181 rooms, a well-stocked library having many important manuscripts and rare old prints, a picture gallery and a unique collection of exquisite armour, antique furniture, glass, china, gold etc. The gothic church was founded in the 14th. century.

An exceedingly pleasant excursion; is from Roudnice to the isolated basalt mountain Říp 459 m in height, where according to the national legend, Čech, the first of the race, and great ancestor of the Bohemians rested, and viewing the country around, he decided to remain and settle in the land he judged to be fair. On the top of this magnetic rock is the chapel of St. George, restored in 1125 by prince Soběslav to commemorate his victory over the German emperor Lothar.

All tourists who visit this spot, agree with Čech; and say it is a splendid position from which to view the land; we cannot wonder at Čech’s decision to remain,—the lovely view is simply entrancing!

From Roudnice to Terezín (12 km.). This was a fortress founded 1780.

From here we go by carriage in 45 minutes to Litoměřice (Leitmeritz) on the right bank of the Labe, the seat of a bishop. The cathedral possesses several pictures by Škréta. The oldest map of Bohemia (1518) is to be found in the episcopal residence.

The old town-hall in the Market-place was originally founded in 1296, it has been rebuilt several times, it contains a fine large hall. The parish Church has a font of the 16 th. century; and a chapel of St. John with the tomb of the bishop count Waldstein.

Litoměřice is the starting point of the steamers plying between Bohemia and saxonySaxony [sic]. From here a nice trip on the Elbe must not be missed, the route through the picturesque borderland amidst the mountains is most enjoyable.

We now continue our journey by the North Western Railway from Litoměřice to Střekov (24 km.) (Schreckenstein) and soon a castle attracts our attention, it stands on a rock above the river at a height of 446 m., it is the property of the prince of Lobkovic. We now cross a double