The town of Osek and its surroundings:

The town of Osek is located at the foot of the Ore Mountains. It is surrounded by pristine nature and boasts several historical monuments. Nature lovers will certainly appreciate the adjacent clean forests, which are perfect for mushroom picking. The local hiking trails are ideal for walking and cycling. There are also two educational trails in Osek, one focusing on nature and the other on history.

You will find almost every service you can think of right in the town – a pastry shop, several stores including a Tesco supermarket, a Czech post office, an ATM, a municipal library, etc. Medical services for children and adults, a dental office, and a pharmacy are a matter of course.

Cistercian monastery

History lovers should definitely visit the Cistercian monastery in Osek, where the Tourist Information Center operates a year-round guided tour service. The monastery itself is a national cultural monument and its history dates back to the end of the 12th century. It is the largest Romanesque building in the region. Its frescoes and stucco decorations, as well as sculptures and paintings by leading artists of their time, create a unique space with an unmistakable atmosphere. The chapter hall, one of the first examples of Gothic art in the Czech lands, boasts a masterfully crafted pulpit.

Ruins of Rýzmburk Castle

Another historical gem is undoubtedly the ruins of Rýzmburk Castle, towering above Osek. The history of the castle, which was one of the largest of its kind in its day, dates back to the first half of the 13th century and is closely linked to the fate of the Osek monastery. It is now open to visitors all year round. Although most of the complex is in ruins, the remarkable ruins should not be missed by any visitor. The same applies to Salesiova výšina, the most interesting natural site in the area.

Educational trails in the footsteps of history

While walking along the city circuit of educational trails in the footsteps of history, you will come across other historical monuments, such as the Baroque Church of St. Peter and Paul, the Monument to Prince Joseph de Saxe – an Empire-style tombstone and several historical statues, and the memorial to the disaster at the Nelson mine.

3D maze, mini golf, disc golf, inline skating track, outdoor gym, sports complex

In the immediate vicinity of the campsite, you will find a unique 3D maze with rope elements (open from April to September) – a unique rope attraction where no safety equipment is required. You can also play an unusual game in nature – disc golf. There are also several rope attractions and a concrete inline skating track. In the center of town, there is an "outdoor gym." There are also several playgrounds for children and one of the largest sports complexes, where you can try out our climbing wall, among other things. New for 2018 is adventure mini golf next to the 3D maze (5 minutes from the campsite).

Hiking and cycling trails, Vlčí hora lookout tower, Stropník mountain

In the vicinity of Osek, you will also find many other attractions, such as hiking and cycling trails in Dlouhá Louka, the Vlčí hora lookout tower, and you can climb to the top of Stropník Mountain (856 m above sea level), which can be reached, for example, by a forest trail from Rýzmburk Castle. From the top of the mountain, there is a circular view of the Ore Mountains, the North Bohemian brown coal basin, Lake Barbora, and the Czech Central Mountains. An 18-meter-high wooden tower once stood at the top, but it collapsed in a storm on December 13, 1929, and was never rebuilt. The foundations are still clearly visible. Later, a wooden triangulation tower stood here. You can also walk along the Fláje Dam, visit the Duchcov State Castle, where Giacomo Casanova came from, or visit the spa town of Teplice and much more.

Events in Osek:

The most traditional event in the town is the annual Osek Fair, which takes place over two weekend days at the end of August. Here you can visit the historical market, fair stalls, cultural program, fairground attractions, and watch spectacular fireworks in the evening.

The town of Osek also hosts various concerts, festivals, and celebrations such as Children's Day, as well as an annual witch burning with a "Miss Witch" contest, and much more.

We would like to thank Mr. Hozák and Mr. Rada for providing the photographs.