Vrchovany: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

Vrchovany has preserved a large amount of original folk architecture. Starý Berštejn is a highly visible castle ruin on the basaltic Berkovský vrch.

Culture and History

Starý Berštejn is a highly visible 15th-century castle ruin on the basaltic Berkovský vrch. Shortly after 1400, the castle was built by Jindřich Hlaváč of Dubá. Starý Berštejn is classified as an immovable cultural monument and has been protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic since 1958. The tower of the ruin offers a very far-reaching view. Starý Bernštejn is located on a yellow-marked hiking trail. Visits to Starý Berštejn are possible by arrangement with the castle leaseholder.

The local architectural history also includes the Chapel of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary: the chapel and the associated plots of land are protected as heritage sites. It is a central, plastered solid structure with a regular octagonal floor plan, situated on elevated ground southeast of the village of Vrchovany. The present Late Baroque chapel was built in 1801, possibly by enlarging an original 17th-century structure. It is currently in a dilapidated condition and has no windows.

Horses and Equestrian Sports

Since 1991, Vrchovany has been home to a horse farm. The main focus of Farma Vrchovany is breeding Haflinger horses. Farma Vrchovany offers beginners lunge training with horses and advanced riders rides through the countryside. By arrangement, a dressage arena, a show-jumping course and a free-jumping facility are available there. The Jezdecká společnost Vrchovany-Obrok organizes show-jumping competitions in Vrchovany twice a year.

Landscape and Trails

Vrchovany lies on the southern slope of Berkovský vrch; the mountain belongs to the village’s cadastral area. Berkovský vrch is predominantly covered with pine and spruce forests; maple, lime and beech trees grow on the scree slopes.

Further Experiences

The Skály u Nového Berštejna climbing area can be reached from the Nový Berštejn and Vrchovany bus stops and, if necessary, from Dubá.

Other Places:Polevsko, Sosnová U České Lípy, Slunečná, Luka, Cvikov, Marenice, Žandov, Pertoltice Pod Ralskem

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