Kovanice: Church Art and Jewish Heritage

Kovanice offers tangible points of interest for travelers interested in sacred art, Jewish history, and the Elbe. Its historic sites have different connections: St. Wenceslas Church is home to 18th-century sculptures, the Jewish cemetery links the history of several communities with a memorial plaque, and the château stands by the river. When planning your trip, cultural sites and waterside routes can offer different focal points. For the Jewish cemetery in particular, access arrangements are one of the practical matters to consider before your visit.

St. Wenceslas Church and Sacred Art

By St. Wenceslas Church stands a life-size sandstone statue of Saint John of Nepomuk. It is located about 15 meters northwest of the wall surrounding the cemetery grounds; the date 1728 is carved into its pedestal. The statue is part of a group of stone sculptures from the 18th century, created in the workshop of Josef Jiří Jelínek in Kosmonosy. The church also houses a painting of Saint Wenceslas by V. Kramolín, dating from around 1770. The two dates can be compared directly: 1728 is carved into the statue, while the painting dates from around 1770. Thus, an exact date and an approximate dating appear side by side.

Jewish Cemetery and Remembrance

The Jewish cemetery in Kovanice was established in 1830 as a burial ground for the Jewish communities of Kovanice, Nymburk, Poděbrady, and Křinec. It was therefore intended for several communities, not just Kovanice. Its size and the arrangement of the gravestones are among the features that characterize the site: 282 stones stand in regular rows across 1,457 square meters. A memorial plaque at the entrance commemorates the victims of the Holocaust. The cemetery is locked; you can obtain the key from the Kovanice Municipal Office. As access arrangements may change, ask for the key there before your visit.

The Château, Monuments, and Routes Along the Elbe

The château in Kovanice is a small château on the River Elbe. The protected site includes not only the château but also the wall and gate of the former park, as well as the enclosed plot. Protection therefore covers more than just the château building: it also includes the specified parts of the former park and the plot. The war memorial to the victims of the First World War is also one of Kovanice’s sights.

A cycling route leading to Kovanice runs along the left bank of the Elbe and mostly close to the river; it opened in 2025. A surfaced path leads towards the Kovanice cadastral area and is intended for pedestrians and cyclists; this path also opened in 2025. Check current path conditions before cycling or walking. This will help you take into account the cycling route’s proximity to the river and the intended use of the surfaced path when planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Vrbice, Budiměřice, Bobnice, Žitovlice, Milovice, Kostomlátky, Bristvi, Vrbová Lhota

For the regional travel overview: Okres Nymburk.