Jičín

Jičín is a town of about 16,000 inhabitants in the Hradec Králové Region of the Czech Republic, lying on the Cidlina River in the Jičín Uplands about 41 kilometres northwest of Hradec Králové and 70 kilometres northeast of Prague. The town was founded in the 13th century near Veliš Castle, and its largest expansion began in 1621, when the generalissimo Albrecht von Wallenstein made it the centre of his Duchy of Friedland and had architects rebuild the castle and churches in a North Italian style. The historic centre is a protected urban monument reservation, and the town is often called the gate to the Bohemian Paradise. It is also linked to the fairy tale character Rumcajs and hosts a fairy tale festival every year. The German names are Jitschin and Gitschin.