Ronov

Ronov Castle was built on a conical basalt hill north-east of Blíževedly. Most of its masonry is made of local basalt, with only occasional dressed sandstone elements or brickwork.

The date that Ronov was founded and its earliest history remain unclear. Given its name, it was almost certainly established by a member of the extensive Ronov family, probably in the late 14th or early 15th century.

At the beginning of the Hussite Wars, the castle was held by Hynek Hlaváč of Dubá, who sided with King Sigismund. It later passed through the hands of various owners, but by 1608 it was already recorded as deserted.

During the Thirty Years' War, the castle served as a refuge for people from the surrounding villages, who brought their possessions here for safekeeping. For this reason, it was captured and burned by Swedish troops in 1643. In 1845, the owner of the estate at the time, Augustin Bartholomäus Hille, Bishop of Litoměřice, had a Stations of the Cross built on Ronov Hill. During its construction, much of the palace was demolished and a cross erected in its place. The Stations of the Cross were refurbished in 1891, but gradually disappeared over the years.