Městské opevnění a Česká brána Town walls

Welcome to White under Bezdez. Stop for a moment, take a breath and feel the atmosphere of where you're standing right now. The Czech Gate stands before you, a silent but powerful witness to centuries of history. It's a place where the past meets the present and where you can feel for yourself what the medieval city looked like, which had to be prepared for constant defense. Look at these massive walls and imagine that hundreds of years ago, you were just walking through here to the safety of the city's fortification.

Let's go back in time together, specifically in the first half of the 14th century. It was during this period that the city of Bělá pod Bezdězem was established and at the same time these walls were built. It wasn't a random decision. The city was strategically located and had to be protected to prosper. It was not just a symbol of power at the time, but a question of survival. The fortification was designed to avert enemies and provide a safe haven for the people in troubled times. The whole system was very complex at the time.

Now pay attention to the material from which the gate and the remnants of the walls are built. If you look at the surface, you'll see a quarry sandstone. It is a material typical of this area, strong and durable, which was designed to guarantee a long life of the construction. Notice the texture of the stone and think about how much work it took to just transport these blocks from the quarry and their precise working. In the old days, this wall wasn't as smooth as we see it today. Take a look upstairs and try to imagine how the walls ended up with a toothed battleship. These characteristic teeth at the top of the wall allowed defensemen to shoot at the enemy while hiding safely behind the stone cover. Among them were shooting holes, narrow holes, which were key to defending the city.

Now, when you look around the Czech Gate, you see only part of what was once there. The original system was much deeper and more layered. Imagine you're on the west side of town. There was a double wall. Between the outer and inner walls there was a so-called park, which was the especia of the outer front or pavement for soldiers, which was up to ten metres wide. And before this park, a castle ditch fell deep into the ground. Imagine its dimensions, it was up to 17 metres deep and it was supplemented by bastions that served as sightseeing and combat points. Such overcoming was almost impossible for any attacker.

This place is also associated with specific names and events. In the year three hundred and thirty-three, a reference to the German Gate appears in the historical documents of Hynek Berka of Dubé. It was these nobles and prominent figures at the time that influenced the development of the city and its security. However, the Czech Gate, which you are now standing at, has been constantly developing over the years. In the year five hundred and twenty-two, a bridge gate was established in its pre-adoption, which made access to the city more difficult and more secure. Later, in the year one thousand six hundred eighty-eight, a ditch was introduced before the Czech Gate, which meant that the city began to slowly return from the period of purely military defence to the population and commercial character.

Perhaps one interesting thing will interest you now, which will help you to realize what a rare piece of history this gate is. The original city of Bělá pod Bezdězem had a total of five gates. Five different inputs that controlled the flow of people and goods into the city. Today, however, the Czech Gate is the only preserved one of them all. What happened to the others? The answer takes us to a thousand eight hundred and thirteen. At that time, new roads began to be built and old walls became perceived as a barrier to transport rather than as a valuable monument. That is why the German and Prague gates were demolished to make room for modern roads. If this were the case at the Czech Gate, we would not be standing in front of it today.

Now try to close your eyes for a moment and imagine the noise that used to be here. Wagon rigging, horse beating against rocks, the voices of officers who checked everyone who wanted to enter the city. Feel the cold of sandstone walls and imagine how the view of the surrounding landscape spread from these walls. Bělá pod Bezdězem was a safe place to develop trade and craft thanks to its fortifications.

Now that you know the story of these walls, I suggest you look around slowly. Feel how the walls intersect with the modern architecture of the city. It's a fascinating contrast between the medieval need to defend ourselves and today's peace. The Czech Gate no longer serves to avert enemies, but serves as a bridge that connects us to our ancestors.

Imagine how many generations of people have gone through this arc. How many joys, fears and hopes accompanied the people who lived on these streets. The walls are more than just rocks and mortar, they're frozen moments of history telling us about the ambition, strategy and courage of the 14th century people.

The end of our short stop at the Czech Gate is close, but your trip by Belou pod Bezdez is just beginning. I ask you to continue to explore this beautiful city. Look for more clues of the past, pay attention to the details in the streets, and let the history that is hidden here at every turn. I hope that this insight into the past has helped you better understand the importance of this place.

Thank you for your attention and I wish you a pleasant continued journey full of new discoveries. Say good-bye to the Czech Gate with a short look up to its peak and then follow the other secrets waiting for you in Bela pod Bezděz. Goodbye.