Discover Kostelec Nad Labem

Kostelec Nad Labem combines medieval town history with architecture, Jewish heritage and a distinctive river landscape. Visitors can choose from several areas of interest: historic architecture, the Jewish cemetery, protected floodplain habitats and walking routes. The differences between these themes can help you decide which aspects of the town best match your travel interests.

Historic Town Centre and Churches

The town, originally a royal settlement of medieval origin, lies at a ford across the Elbe; its historic centre is designated a heritage conservation zone. St Martin’s Church illustrates a sequence of different building phases. It dates back to the second half of the 13th century. It was later remodelled in the Late Gothic style and given Baroque features. The church was restored in 1894 and has Gothic elements. St Martin’s is a cemetery church and originally served as a parish church.

St Vitus offers a different architectural accent: the church is Gothic and has three naves and a polygonal presbytery; it was remodelled in the Renaissance style in the 16th century. Compared with St Martin’s, St Vitus is distinguished above all by the combination of Gothic design and Renaissance remodelling. The two churches thus offer different ways to explore the town’s religious architecture: at St Martin’s, the sequence of several remodelling phases; at St Vitus, the three-nave layout and the changes made in the 16th century.

Jewish Cemetery and River Landscape

The Jewish cemetery is in the suburb of Písek and was founded in 1594 on the eastern bank of the Martinský Brook. It preserves numerous tombstones of art-historical value, including many dating from the last quarter of the 19th century. The founding year and the dates of many tombstones point to different periods: the cemetery was established long before many of the surviving grave markers were made. This site thus adds a different subject to the history of Kostelec Nad Labem than the architectural history of its churches.

The Polabí u Kostelce Natural Monument is an exceptionally well-preserved river floodplain with a distinctive mosaic structure. It includes floodplain forests, meadows, bodies of water and wetlands, and is also home to many rare plant and animal species. The floodplain is therefore not limited to a single habitat type. In the northern part of the Kostelec Nad Labem area, Staré Labe has the character of a floodplain forest. While Polabí u Kostelce is shaped by the coexistence of several habitats, Staré Labe is characterised primarily by its floodplain forest. These are two distinct aspects of the landscape for travellers interested in the area’s river environments.

Walking Routes and Their Highlights

The walking and cycling routes also differ in length and subject. A modernised, ten-kilometre section of the Labská stezka runs between Kostelec Nad Labem and Tuhaň. Cyclists and pedestrians can use it as a paved asphalt route; surface conditions may change, so check them before setting out. The Městský informační okruh is a short educational trail about the history of Kostelec Nad Labem. It has six stops with information boards. As route details may change, it is a good idea to check the route before setting out. This provides a contrast between a measured route connecting two places and a short historical trail with six stops.

Discover more destinations: Zlončice, Lobeč, Chvatěruby, Ledčice, Čakovičky, Hostín, Malý Újezd, Velký Borek.

View the broader travel guide: Okres Mělník.