rotunda of Saint George, which is one of the oldest buildings in the Czech Republic. This is mentioned for the first time in 1126, when Soběslav I, Duke of Bohemia, commemorating his victory at the Battle of Chlumec, where he defeated Holy Roman Emperor Lothair III, had the rotunda repaired and extended by the western circular tower. The rotunda's current appearance is the result of a purist reconstruction during the 1870s. Inside the rotunda is a stone sculpture by contemporary Czech artist Stanislav Hanzík "The Good Shepherd" from 1979, symbolising the arrival of Czech ancestors to the country and the beginning of Czech history there. Near the rotunda is a tourist hut that was built in 1907 and still serves travellers today. In accordance with the patriotic spirit of that era, a wooden plate is mounted on the hut wall that says, "What Mecca is to a Muslim, Říp is to a Czech" (Czech: "Co Mohamedu Mekka, to Čechu Říp"). Points of interest The top of Říp became a popular pilgrimage place and a frequent site of national manifestations and mass meetings. A famous manifestation was held there on 10 May 1868 when the foundation stone was taken from the hill for the newly built National Theatre in Prague. Tradition has it that each Czech should climb this mountain at least once in his life. References External links Microregion Podřipsko (cz) Virtual show Mountains and hills of the Czech Republic Litoměřice District Magnetic anomalies Geography of the Ústí nad Labem Region Tourist attractions in the Ústí nad Labem Region National Cultural Monuments of the Czech Republic