Rynartice

Rynartice is a picturesque village on the border of Bohemian Switzerland, which will enchant everyone who longs for peace, nature and magical views. It is located near Jetřichovice and is an ideal starting point for hiking and cycling tours to the Czech Switzerland National Park.

 

Traditional half-timbered houses, typical for this area, give Rynartice a fairy-tale character. A stream flows through the village, forests and sandstone cliffs rise above it – a romantic landscape perfect for relaxation and discovery.

Seven Elves

The reliefs of the seven elves were carved into the rock by local artists – father and son Eduard and Ernst Vatter – between the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century. The work began around 1870 and was completed by son Ernst.

Contrary to popular belief, the inspiration was not the fairy tale of Snow White, but a local legend about a homeless woman named Rietschel who slept under a rock overhang. One day, seven little men with pointed hats saved her in a storm and left her seven coins as thanks.

After the war the reliefs were overgrown with moss, but after 1989 they were restored and repainted. Today they are a popular destination for day trippers, especially children who enjoy looking for all seven elves. You may even discover a small niche in the rock – the place where Ernst Vatter is said to have cooled his beer.

Midgets

From Rynartice you can easily get to popular routes in the Czech Switzerland, for example to the Mary’s Lookout, Jetřichovice Rocks or to Pravčická Gate. The surrounding landscape offers breathtaking views, quiet forest corners and historical monuments.

And a few more tips:

  • From Rynartice it is a stone’s throw to Pavlina valley, the picturesque valley of the Chřibská Kamenice river – it is just over 1 km along the blue marked trail to the crossroads.
  • Suitable season: it is beautiful here all year round :-)
  • With children: yes, with supervision. Due to the stairs, Dwarf Rock is not suitable for strollers, but the circuit is not long.
  • Dogs: yes, on a leash
  • How to get here: the BUS 434 or BUS 436 line runs to Rynartice. There is a small parking lot at the Dwarf Rock.