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General info
Říp stands at a height of 456 meters and is a prominent basalt formation located in the heart of the Central Bohemian plain.
Its strategic position between the Vltava, the Elbe, and the Ohře rivers, combined with its distinctive bell shape, makes it visible from up to 10 km away.
The name Říp has Indo-European roots and means “mountain.”
Consequently, it is referred to as “Hora Říp” in Czech, despite being classified as a hill due to its elevation being below 600m.
Historically, Říp has been a significant center of human settlement for thousands of years.
Various prehistoric cultures inhabited the area, although none of them actually settled on the summit itself, as it was traditionally believed to be sacred and to belong to the gods.
The Romanesque Rotunda on Říp
The sacred significance of the mountain is evidenced by the Romanesque rotunda on the summit, one of the oldest Czech shrines.
The Rotunda of St. George and St. Adalbert (Sv. Jiří and Sv. Vojtěch in Czech) is the most renowned Romanesque structure in Bohemia.
The rotunda was first mentioned in 1126, when Prince Soběslav I commissioned repairs and expansions to the existing church to celebrate his victory over the German king Lothar III at the Battle of Kulm.
Following this, the new bishop of Olomouc formerly consecrated the church, which subsequently became a popular pilgrimage destination during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Inside the rotunda, there is a statue of a boy with a lamb, symbolizing the arrival of Slavic ancestors in Bohemia. Additionally, in the apse of the rotunda’s presbytery is located “The Crucifixion“, a wooden sculpture hanging from the ceiling. Both artworks were created by the sculptor Stanislav Hanzík.
Around 1880, two depictions of Saint George’s battle with the dragon were added: a relief by Bernard Otto Seeling and a polychrome stone statue by Eduard Veselý.
During the communism, the rotunda underwent some alterations, becoming a monument of Slavic reciprocity, which was then designated as a national monument.
Říp today
In 1907, a tourist cottage was built on the summit, near the rotunda, which serves as a bar and restaurant.
Originally named “Chata Boum,” it is now known as “Chata Říp“.
The building is entirely made of wood and features motifs from Art Nouveau and Czech folklore.
One of the walls bears a patriotic inscription: “Co Mohamedu Mekka, to Čechu Říp” (“What Mecca is to Muhammad, Říp is to the Czech”).
The inscription refers to the legend that the ancestors of the Czechs, led by their founder Czech (praotec Čech), chose to settle in Bohemia upon seeing the mountain.
Today, the rotunda is managed by the Roman Catholic Church of Roudnice nad Labem and remains a venue for religious ceremonies.
Holy Mass is celebrated on the first Sunday of each month during the spring and summer.
The dates of Saints Adalbert (Vojtěch) and George (Jiří), April 23 and 24, respectively, mark the dates of the Říp pilgrimage.
During the summer season, the rotunda is open to the public, so take the chance to visit it.
Every year, many organized parades, marches, and processions make their way to the top of Říp, and you can do the same for a nice day out in the nature.
How to get there
There are two hiking trails leading up the hill, originating from opposite sides.
The shortest route begins and ends in Roudnice nad Labem, with a round trip from the train station along the red tourist trail of about 15 km.
Alternatively, for a longer hike, you can start in Mlčechvosty (there is a tiny train station) and finish in Roudnice.
You can stick to the red path all the way, or take a detour to switch to the blue trail via Ledčice. Both options cover approximately 20 km.
For the most intrepid ones, you can attempt the climb to the top by bike (not electro!).
When you are at the top, don’t miss the extra bit to reach the two view points towards: the one towards Roudnice nad Labem and the other one towards Prague.
In clear days, you can have wonderful views.
Another popular way to reach Říp is by following the Pilgrimage route Blaník–Říp, a 190 km trail divided into 7 stages/days that carries the motto “Get to know the Czech land and yourself.”
The official page contains very detailed information about the project and each stage. It is in Czech only, but easily translated via a browser.
If you are travelling by car and want to include Říp in your trip, then you can park at the foot of the hill in Rovné.
The parking fee is 50Kč for the whole day, and it is valid only until 17:30. This gives you the opportunity to park the car for free and then hike to the top in complete peace, avoiding the usual daytime crowd.
