Nova Paka: Geology, Architectural Heritage and Mountains

Nova Paka combines geological discoveries with distinctive architectural heritage and mountains in the surrounding area. Here, you can create a varied trip encompassing collections, historic buildings, sacred architecture and landscapes. Depending on your interests, you can focus on minerals and fossils, the townscape or the mountains around Nová Paka.

Minerals, Fossils and Special Collections

Geology is a particular focus. The Městské muzeum Nová Paka houses a collection of almost 4,000 petrological and mineralogical exhibits. The large number of objects provides broad access to rocks and minerals and makes the museum an important destination for anyone who would like to explore the region’s geological character in greater depth.

The Klenotnice complements this approach with exhibitions on volcanism, geological development, gemstones and spiritualism. The range of topics therefore extends from natural processes and the formation of the landscape to special stones and cultural interpretations. The two collection venues thus place different emphases: here, geological diversity is at the centre, while there, the focus is on the connection between natural history, gemstones and cultural history.

The Paleopark Balka was established at a site known for fossil and carnelian finds. Visitors can take part in a fossil excavation there. The combination of the find site and hands-on activity offers a different way of engaging with the history of the Earth than simply viewing exhibits.

Architectural Heritage in the Townscape

Suchardův dům is a building completed in 1896 in the Neo-Renaissance style. The building houses an exhibition on the work of Stanislav and Vojtěch Sucharda. In this way, the building combines its architectural form with an insight into the work of the two artists. Another historic highlight is Gernatův dům: this rare urban-type log house dates from the first half of the 18th century and is a cultural monument. Today, Gernatův dům is used as a café.

The parish church of sv. Mikuláše is the defining building on Masarykovo náměstí in Nová Paka. The Pauline monastery church of Nanebevzetí Panny Marie is an important Late Baroque landmark in Nová Paka. A Rosary staircase dating from 1737 leads to this church. Together, these places represent different aspects of the townscape: the central square with its defining church, a representative Neo-Renaissance building, a rare urban log house and Baroque sacred architecture.

Mountains Around Nova Paka

If you would like to focus your stay more strongly on the landscape, Maxinec (MLázovický chlum), Tábor, Strážník and Přivýšina are among the mountains in the area around Nová Paka. This selection provides an overview of different focal points within the landscape without losing sight of the town’s cultural character. For a broader regional cultural perspective, Lázně and Valdštejn are also worth considering; both are described as churches in the wider regional surroundings of Nová Paka. This allows you to choose between geological topics, historic architectural heritage and landscape experiences, and to decide for yourself how to shape the character of your stay.

Discover More Destinations

For further travel planning, you can also discover Jeřice, Staré Smrkovice, Březina U Jičína, Vidochov, Markvartice U Sobotky, Třtěnice, Samšina and Jitschin .

For the higher-level travel overview: Jičín District.