Skalice U České Lípy – Sandstone, Cycle Paths and Local History

Skalice u České Lípy combines an accessible local history with an unusual landscape around Skalický vrch. Particularly impressive is the underground labyrinth created by sandstone quarrying over the course of the last two centuries. Numerous halls make this place a distinctive discovery for anyone who wants to learn about the traces of the landscape’s history alongside classic sights. The picture is complemented by church art, Baroque wayside shrines and a cycle-path network that provides access to Skalice u České Lípy from several directions.

The Sandstone Labyrinth at Skalický vrch

Sandstone quarrying at Skalický vrch formed an underground labyrinth with numerous halls over a period of two hundred years. This means that the focus is not only on a single natural feature, but also on the visible impact of an activity carried out on the hill over a long period. Skalický vrch also has a natural-history distinction: its area is registered as a European protected area for the occurrence and overwintering of bats. Landscape and wildlife are therefore among the most important themes here if you want to view the place beyond its historic buildings.

Church, Painting and Baroque Wayside Shrines

The interior of St. Anne’s Church contains a Stations of the Cross cycle by the local painter Josef Müller. This sequence of Stations of the Cross paintings brings a clear local connection to the church interior and complements the landscape experiences with an example of regional art. The Vilém Sacher memorial commemorates General Vilém Sacher’s forced stay in Skalice u České Lípy. Another historical detail is the Boží muka s reliéfy. These are stone Baroque wayside shrines dating from 1835. Boží muka s reliéfy were entered in the list of monuments in 1965. A tour of Skalice u České Lípy thus offers several different perspectives: underground sandstone spaces, religious painting and a stone testament to Baroque piety.

Cycle Paths and Orientation in the Area

The location offers several clearly distinct routes for active days. Cycle Route 3054 runs through the built-up area of Skalice u České Lípy and leads from Okrouhlá in the north to Manušice in the south. Cycle Route 3062 crosses the area from east to west. It also leads from Pihel via Road III/26210 into the centre of Skalice u České Lípy. Cycle Route 211 touches the southwestern edge of the area near Slunečná; Skalice u České Lípy can be reached via Route 3062 or a local road from Farma Slunečná to Svobodná Ves.

The railway can also be taken into account when considering the area’s layout. The interregional railway line 080 runs along the western edge of the built-up area of Skalice u České Lípy. Skalice u České Lípy railway station is about 1 km from the town centre. Together with the cycle routes described above, these details show the different ways in which you can explore the area: along the north–south connection, on the east–west axis, via Pihel and the centre, or along the southwestern edge near Slunečná.

Other Places to Research

Find more destinations at: Nový Oldřichov, Svor, Horní Libchava, Holany, Stvolínky, Zákupy, Skalka U Doks, Marenice.

For the higher-level travel overview: Česká Lípa District.