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Teplice (Wekelsdorf) with its fine old church of the 14th. century, is reached by railway (22 km). On arrival we hire a cab for a drive to the „two cities of the rocks“. The admission to both is by ticket and under the care of special guides.
From Teplice we return by Václavice (28 km) and Starkoč (3 km) to Josefov and Jaromeř (19 km). Josefov is a fortress founded by Joseph II. in 1781, and is separated from Jaroméi by only two miles, it is a short but pleasant walk through the green meadows. The town is situated at the junction of the Metuje and Labe. The churches are St. Nicolas’ (gothic) and St. James’ which dates from the 15th. century. There are some quaint old houses in the Market-place
Our next excursion will take us to Kukus (8 km) Here is a convent and hospital of the Brethren of Charity, with the fine church of the Holy Trinity containing pictures by Brandl and the tomb of the Counts Špork. The old castle and adjoining wood are reminiscent of that great patron of the fine arts Count Antony Špork (1662—1738), whose memory is honoured by many statues cut out the very rocks by the sculptor Braun (1684—1738).
From Josefov we return to Prague (17 km) by Králové Hradec (Königgrätz). This town was until the end of the last century, a fortress, it is the seat of a bishop and has many schools. On the great Market-place stands the cathedral of the Holy Ghost, founded in 1303, its gothic sanctuary is by Mathew Rejsek (1492). Here is a picture by Brandl, but amongst its most precious possessions, the cathedral can show a number of rare hymn-books or kancionály, splendid works in vellum embellished with artistic miniatures. Near the cathedral is St. Clement’s chapel with relics of the saints, this chapel has a tower 68.5 m in height, the Bílá věž or White tower with a bell „St. Augustin“ weighing 98 q. On the site of the old ramparts and moat, a new town with houses built with modern improvements is rapidly rising. On the South side of the place is the episcopal residence which possesses a large library. This town is famous for the production of musical instruments, especially those used in military brass bands. Some of the most perfect instruments of this kind
