Panská skála is the best known and most visited geological reserves in the Czech Republic. This natural formation is known also to geologists abroad. The rock is often called the “organ” because the five and six-sided columns of up to 12 meters long look like the structure of organ pipes. Its current appearance got Panská skála by mining, which took place here until 1948. This high quality basalt was exported to the Benelux countries, where they used it to build the dam.

In 1953 Panská skála became National Natural Monument. Under the rock there is a small lake, which was created after the mining and is filled with rainwater. The summit offers a stunning view of the The Lusatian Mountains (in Czech Lužické hory) and of the National Park of Czech Switzerland (České Švýcarsko).

At the foot of the rock there is the Marian Column, which was built in 1739 in memory of two people who froze to death here.

You can find similar formations in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, named Giant’s Causeway.

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Riga’s historical centre is declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its amazing houses. The city is known as the most expensive Baltic city and is particularly notable for its extensive Jugendstil (German Art Nouveau) architecture, which UNESCO considers to be unparalleled anywhere in the world.

Around Riga you can visit several great places such as the coastal resort Jurmala, the Sigulda castles overlooking the scenic Gauja River Valley, and the Rastrelli Palace at Rundale.

What to see in Riga

• Great Guild Hall and Small Guild Hall
• Symbol of the historical centre – The Dome Cathedral – impressive mixture of romantic, gothic, Renascence, baroque and classical styles. There is one of the largest organs in the world in the cathedral
• The architectural complex Three brothers – three houses are the oldest stone buildings in Riga built in the 15th, 17th and 18th centuries
• St. Maria Magdalena Catholic Church – built in the 13th century
• Sweden Gate – the newest and the only saved as they are of 25 gates of Riga, which used to protect the city from enemies
• St Jacob Church – served both to the Catholics and the Lutherans in the past

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