Kopicův statek

Kopicův statek is a timber farmstead tucked into the woods near the village of Kacanovy, right in the heart of the Bohemian Paradise (Český ráj). The building itself sits on private land, but the trail leading from it to a gallery of carved rock reliefs draws visitors year-round who come for the mix of folk history, outsider art, and dramatic sandstone scenery.

What is this place?

Originally known as Jirošova rychta, the farmstead was built in 1787 by farmer Jiří Jiroš, although its foundations are believed to be older still. It's considered one of the finest surviving examples of Pojizeří-style folk architecture: a two-story residential house with a distinctive covered gallery (pavlač), a stable set perpendicular to it, and single-story farm outbuildings facing across the yard. The complex is protected as a cultural heritage monument.

For generations the farmstead belonged to the Jiroš family — František Jiroš (1824–1902) served as the first mayor of Kacanovy from 1849. The estate's current name comes from Vojtěch Kopic, who married into the family in 1932 and went on to create the site's most famous feature: the nearby rock relief gallery.

What will you see?

A marked footpath leads from the farmstead through a sandstone valley where, between 1940 and 1978, Vojtěch Kopic carved a series of reliefs directly into the rock faces. They depict figures from Czech history alongside scenes drawn from folk tales and religious legend, each one accompanied by a short verse chiseled into the stone. This unusual pairing of self-taught folk art with the natural drama of a sandstone rock town makes the walk a memorable stop for anyone exploring the Bohemian Paradise.

The farmstead building, being privately owned, can't be entered — but it's visible from the outside as you pass along the trail. The rock gallery itself is freely open to the public year-round, with no admission fee.

How to get there?

Kopicův statek lies roughly 1 km east of the village of Kacanovy, in the Turnov district of the Liberec Region. It makes a good addition to a day spent around Hrubá Skála and the Kacanovy rock formations — the easiest way in is on foot or by bike along the local hiking trails from Kacanovy, using the Bohemian Paradise trail maps available from tourist information points in Turnov.

When should you visit?

Spring and summer are the best times to come, when the path through the valley is dry and easy to walk and the surrounding forest sets off the reliefs at their most scenic. In autumn, the changing leaf colors add extra contrast to the sandstone. Winter visits are possible but the trail can turn slippery, so extra care is worth taking.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside the farmstead? No — Kopicův statek is privately owned and not open to the public inside. You can, however, see it from the outside while walking the trail toward the rock gallery.

What are the Kopic rock reliefs? They're a series of carvings cut into sandstone rock faces by Vojtěch Kopic between 1940 and 1978, depicting figures from Czech history along with folk and religious motifs, each paired with a short inscribed verse.

Is there an entrance fee for the trail? No, walking the path and viewing the reliefs is completely free and accessible throughout the year.

How long does a visit take? Walking to the rock gallery and back typically takes 30 to 60 minutes, depending on your pace and how long you linger at each relief.