Máchův kraj

Man-made attractions are an important element of the history and development of craftsmanship and technology, from the oldest historical periods up to modern times. In Mácha’s Region the majority of the man-made attractions are connected with the development of the lake system, which had been under construction since the 14th century coinciding with the development of the op growing in the 19th century. Existing man-made features can be found at a range of popular tourist attractions. Some of them are associated with magical creatures due to their impressiveness. But all were shaped by skilled human hands.

PRŮRVA(PLOUČNICE GULLY) NEAR NOVINY POD RALSKEM
Průrva Ploučnice (Ploučnice Gully), also known as Pekelný jícen (Hell’s Throat) or Hromová rána (Thunder Bolt), is the underground supply channel of a former iron mill. With its size of 150m and tunnel height of 6m, it is one of the most remarkable attractions in the area. All of the water from the small River Ploučnice flows into the gully, running for 50m among high sandstone walls and then diving at right angles into a 6m high channel. Shortly after this, the water appears again and continues through a long channel. The underground flow is accessible from a small bridge over the River Ploučnice at the east end of Noviny pod Ralskem village.
INFO
The nearest train station: 2,5 km Velký Grunov
The nearest bus station: 1,5 km Noviny pod Ralskem
The nearest parking place: 500 m

NOVOZÁMECKÁ PRŮRVA (NOVOZÁMECKÁ RAVINE)
This 170m long, 14m deep and 7m wide sandstone channel, an outlet of Novozámecký pond, was constructed in the 14th century during the reign of Charles IV. The work took place when the Novozámecký Lake and Dokeský Lake system was being created. The lake is drained by Robečský Brook, which continues through the valley of Peklo (Hell) national nature reserve.
INFO
The nearest train station: 2 km Zahrádky
The nearest bus station: 200 m Zahrádky
The nearest parking place: 100 m

MNICHOVSKÁ PRŮRVA (MNICHOVSKÁ RAVINE)
The next medieval system carved from rock is Mnichovská průrva (Mnichovská Ravine), which is situated 1km south from Zahrádky. There is also Bobří potok (Beaver Brook) which flows into Novozámecký pond.
INFO
The nearest train station: 2,5 km Zahrádky
The nearest bus station: 500 m Zahrádky
The nearest parking place: 500 m

RAILWAY BRIDGE OVER THE PEKLO (HELL) NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE
At the beginning of the 19th century the owner of Nový zámek (known today as Zahrádky), Count Vincenc Karel Kounic, reconstructed the surroundings of the castle in Zahrádky as a romantic building which was to play an important part in the life of the valley of Robečský potok (Robečský Brook, also known as Peklo or Hell). Robečský potok (Robečský Brook) was turned into a canal along its entire length and navigation by boat became a favourite pastime for the noblemen. During the 30-year Prussia-Austria war and even during the Second World War, Peklo was used as a refuge for the inhabitants of surrounding villages. In 1881 Peklo was under threat because of the building of a railway, but after concern from the owner of the manor house and from members of the Excursions Club, the project was rethought and in 1898 the valley was bridged by a viaduct, which today remains as a historic relic. The bridge is made of steel and has five arches with a total length of 209m and a height of 24m.
INFO
The nearest train station: 600 m Zahrádky
The nearest bus station: 1km Zahrádky

OAST HOUSE IN DUBÁ
This building dates from 1889, since when Dubský zelenáč (Greenhorn from Dubá) has been dried there. In the 19th century in the regions of Dubsko and Doksko the Dubský or Dokský greenhorn was grown here, from which fantastic beer can be made. The quality of the beer from these particular hops is internationally respected. The agricultural development of the area declined during the Second World War. At that time the cultivation of hops also died in the area of Dubsko and Doksko.

SHUTTER DAM
The movable dam cover, constructed by the engineer J. Záhorský, was built in 1910 on the river Ploučnice in the town Česká Lípa. The building was constructed within the framework of river regulation in order to control the level of water that runs in its river branches. The system also required spanning with a footbridge. The problem of moving the covers, which hang on frames under the bridge, was solved in a sophisticated way: all movements were made in the direction of the water flow and its surface and speed of water-movement themselves regulate opening and dumping with its pressure. In 1996 the equipment was renovated and the footbridge was restored for travellers. After the preservation, part of the mechanism for the frame movement was taken out and exhibited on a separate pedestal next to the footbridge.
INFO
The nearest train station: 1 km
The nearest bus station: 600 m
The nearest parking place: 50 m