Hulice – Water, Nature and History

Hulice can be explored through three themes: its documented local history, the interpretation of water and nature, and outdoor activities. These different focal points can help with planning: Včelí svět combines an interactive museum with a garden educational trail; Vodní dům focuses on water and nature. Historical connections range from Hulice’s first written mention to the settlement of Švihov, which was submerged during construction of the Želivka waterworks.

Educational Trails and Hands-on Activities

Včelí svět is an interactive museum created by transforming Hulice’s former school. Its educational trail leads through the garden and herb garden to eight fun and informative stations. The stations give the route a clear structure; the garden and herb garden are explicitly part of it. The trail offers its own outdoor focus alongside the museum. Minor changes to the trail’s layout are possible. If this particular route is important to your visit, check for current information in advance.

Water, Nature and Trails

Vodní dům explains the importance of water to nature and people using the European Želivka Site of Community Importance and the Švihov Reservoir as examples. The Vodní atrium complements this perspective with hands-on activities: visitors can operate artificial watercourses using pumps, watermills, weirs and water distributors. This brings together an explanation of the aquatic landscape and practical interaction with watercourses. Outdoors, Hadcová skalka displays kuřička hadcová, a plant that grows nowhere else in the world except in the Kraj blanických rytířů. An educational trail in the area around Vodní dům has eleven informative stations.

The two educational trails differ in their layout: the route at Včelí svět leads through the garden and herb garden to eight fun and informative stations; the trail in the area around Vodní dům has eleven informative stations. Visitors can therefore choose between a garden route with playful learning activities and an informative trail around the water house.

Local History and Waterworks

The documented history of Hulice begins with its first mention in written sources in 1295. The settlement of Švihov offers a different historical perspective: it was submerged during construction of the Želivka waterworks. Hulice’s first written mention and the changes to the history of the settlement brought about by waterworks thus stand side by side. The submerged bridges on the Želivka are also a unique technical monument. Access is legally restricted and subject to change; check the current access conditions before visiting.

Planning Information

Cycling Route No. 0004 passes through Hulice and runs from Vlašim via Trhový Štěpánov, Hulice and Nesměřice to Zruč na Sázavou. This sequence makes Hulice an intermediate point on a route connecting several named places. For visitors planning to include cycling in their trip, the route through these locations provides a concrete point of reference.

Access at Vodní dům is relevant for visitors using a wheelchair or stroller: the indoor and outdoor areas are wheelchair-accessible and accessible with a stroller; accessible toilets are also available. As access arrangements may change, check them before your arrival.

Discover more destinations: Řehenice, Soutice, Sobesovice, Křivsoudov, Drachkov, Kozmice, Dolní Kralovice, Petriny U Vlasimy

For the broader travel overview: Okres Benešov.