Máchův kraj

OBSERVATION TOWER IN JABLONNÉ V PODJEŠTĚDÍ
We can find the observation tower in the former Kostel Narození Panny Marie (Church of Birth of Virgin Maria), whose existence can be dated to at least the 13th century. In the 15th century, in the period of the Hussite wars, it was burned down and then built up again in the baroque style. During the rebuilding in the period of 1781 to 1783 the church gained a tower, which is still used as an observation tower.

OBSERVATION TOWER ON VRÁTENSKÁ MOUNTAIN
On the top of the highest hill near Housecké vrchy (Housecké Hills) in the southern part of the hilly area of Doksy is found the 42m high telecommunication tower with an observation terrace, which is used as a lookout station. On the terrace are viewing platforms and in season a coin-operated telescope is available.

ČAP
The rocky formation in the shape of a gigantic cudgel is also called Čapská palice (Čapská Cudgel). From the sandy terrace there is a great view to Dokeská pahorkatina (the Hilly Area of Doksy) and to České středohoří (the Czech Mountain Range). On the rocky promontory (385m) over the Čapský důl (the Čapský Vale), are found the ruins of a medieval castle from the end of the 14th century.

NEDVĚZÍ
Nedvězí hill (458m above sea level) is situated on the area of District of Kokořín protected nature zone near a settlement. From the hill there is an excellent all-round view. When the weather is nice it is possible to view a substantial part of Bohemia, especially the taller buildings of Prague across the Říp hill. It is also possible to see the hills of České středohoří (the Czech Mountain Range), in the north the thick forests of Lužické hory (the Lužice Mountains), Ještědsko-Kozákovský hřbet (Ještědsko-Kozákovský Ridge), Krkonoše (the Giant Mountains) and Orlické hory (the Orlice Mountains).

VRCH RONOV (RONOV HILL)
The cone-shaped basalt Ronov Hill (554m above sea level) is situated in the District of Kokořín -protected nature zone in the western part of Mácha’s region and near Kravaře. At its top there are the ruins of a castle from the 14th century. In 1995 Ronov was declared a natural monument. From the top there is interesting view to the system of Holanské rybníky (Holanské Lakes), to both Velký Bezděz and Malý Bezděz (Big and Small Bezděz), České středohoří (the Czech Mountain Range), the forests of Lužické hory (the Lužice Mountains) and into the countryside surrounding the area around Úštěk.

BEZDĚZ - VELKÁ VĚŽ (BIG TOWER)
The castle Bezděz is notable for its two towers, though only one of these towers is accessible to the public – Velká věž (Big Tower). From its 34m height are interesting views to Mácha’s Lake, Břehyňský rybník (Břehyňský Lake), České středohoří (the Czech Mountain Range), Lužické hory (the Lužice Mountains), Krkonoše (the Giant Mountains), Ještědsko-Kozákovský hřbet (Ještědsko-Kozákovský Ridge), Jizerské hory (the Jizera Mountains) and Pojizeří (the area around the river Jizera). To the south, and when there is good visibility, can be seen Prague and Brdská pahorkatina (the Hilly Area of Brdy). The external diameter of the tower is 10m, the thickness of the lower part of the tower wall is 5m with the upper part being 2m thick and the circumference being 21m. The tower had already been repaired and made accessible in the 19th century when it was owned by Valdštejnové (the Valdštejnové family). During the occupation of the Soviet army (1968 to 1989) entrance to Velká Věž (Big Tower) was prohibited. In the second half of the 1990s it was opened again.

RALSKO
The cone-shaped Ralsko hill (696m) rises 400m high over the plain of the river Ploučnice. The hill, which is made of basalt, is home to the ruins of the once majestic Ralsko castle, which was founded in the 14th century by Vartenberkové - the Vartenberk noble family. From here there is a unique view of the former military area framed by the peaks of Bezděz Hill to the south and in the southeast direction the border mountains – Lužické hory (the Lužice Mountains), Jizerské hory (the Jizera Mountains), Krkonoše (the Giant Mountains) and České středohoří (Czech Mountain Range) – with the highest mountain being Milešovka (836m) visible to the west.