Genoa

The village of Janov, with more than 300 inhabitants, is located near the border with Germany in the unique landscape of Bohemian Switzerland. This picturesque village has long been inhabited mainly by raftsmen and weavers, representatives of local traditional crafts, which became widespread especially in the 19th century. Other livelihood options for the local residents were agriculture and stone quarrying. Today, Janov is mainly a recreational village with many guesthouses. Janov is located on the Bynovecké plateau, high above the level of the Elbe. That is why summer days are mostly sunny here, unlike the lower-lying ravines and gorges. If you walk between the old cottages towards the former windmill or the golf course, you will be surprised by the distant views of the magical rock formations – the table mountains in Saxon Switzerland, which rise significantly above the surrounding landscape, and the volcanic cones of the Lusatian Mountains. Unlike the crowds of tourists in the nearby Kamenice gorges or at Pravčická Gate, quiet trails await you in the vicinity of Janov.

What you should see

Genoa lookout tower – 40m high with a beautiful view of Bohemian Switzerland, free admission

Chapel of John the Baptist – a simple late Baroque municipal chapel in the middle of the village with a small bell tower.

Windmill – a central circular Dutch-type building from 1844 made of unplastered ashlar masonry, now used as a recreational facility.

Chapel of the Clare family – pseudo-Gothic funeral chapel of merchants from Hřensko, near the road (on the left under the hillside) between Genoa and Hřensko.

Genoa monument to the victims of World War I – at the local cemetery founded in 1894, designed by the Podmokele builder Franz Jäger, a native of Genoa.

Janovský vrch – the highest point above the village, offering views of the mesas of Saxon Switzerland and the Great Winterberg. There used to be a rock theater on Janovský vrch and a lookout tower should soon be built here.

Zirkelstein and Kaisekrone – the smallest mesas in Saxon Switzerland with views mainly to Bohemia and the mesas of Saxon Switzerland (385 and 355 m above sea level). They are only 3 km from Hřensko – by ferry across the Elbe to Schöna and then on foot.

Suchá Kamenice Valley – the valley of a stream that springs on the slope of Býnovecký vrch, before Hřensko it flows into the Labe River. Below the village of Labská Stráň it creates a romantic valley between the rock walls, where the water has ground three giant “pots”.

Belvedere – a unique rocky viewpoint of the Elbe canyon at a height of around 130 m above the surface of the Elbe. At the beginning of the 18th century, a stepped terrace and a rock salla terrena with the emblem of the noble family of Clary-Aldringen were carved here.

You know that…

… a two-hour introduction to golf in the attractive natural environment of the golf course under the guidance of Mr. Novotný or other experienced coaches is certainly an extraordinary experience? The lessons are also a pleasant relaxation. Here you will get information about this sport completely naturally, without the need for club membership. The backdrop will be the view of the lonely Růžovský vrch, not unlike Japan’s Fujiyama. You will hardly see such an attractive panorama on any other golf course in the Czech Republic. … every year in April, the so-called Janovský trhák takes place in the village – a cycling time trial uphill for amateurs and hobby racers?

Where to go on a trip

Janov – Soutěsky – Hřensko – From the village we take the yellow path through the forest to Hájenky, from there we descend along the green path to Mezní můstok and left along the stream to Edmundova soutěsky with the possibility of boating. We continue 2 km to Hřensko and then climb again along the yellow path to Janov. The length of the trip is about 7 km.

Bunker tour – A circular walk leads from the windmill in Genoa along the yellow sign to the turning right on the forest road, continuing along the contour line. We can gradually see 17 small bunkers, built to defend the border area in 1937-38, then we exit the forest near the Pastis guesthouse in Genoa. The length of the route is about 5 km.

What to do in winter

For cross-country skiers, the Janov Golf Resort has machine-milled cross-country ski trails of various lengths. Tracks for classic technique and snow corduroy for skaters. On weekends, a clubhouse with cozy facilities including refreshments and restrooms is open.

Accommodation/Meals

Hotel Devítka, tel. +420 412 514 334

Hotel u Zeleného stromu, tel. +420 412 517 124

Penzion U Rytíře, tel. +420 412 535 331

Penzion Pastis, tel. +420 412 554 037

Penzion U Václava, tel.:+420 412 554 308

Penzion Na Točně, tel.: +420 412 554 221, +420 603 284 076

Penzion 51, tel.: +420 412 554 177, +420 737 657 293

Chaloupka u hrádku, tel.: +420 605 261 548

Ubytování v soukromí p. Uhlíř, tel: +420 412 554 113, +420 736 600 827