Libenice: Discover Archaeology and History

Libenice brings together archaeological traces and a complex architectural and local history. When planning your trip, the archaeological site, Protestant heritage, historic buildings, and protected landscape features shape the character of the village. The themes range from early archaeological finds to buildings whose histories span several centuries.

Archaeological Traces in Libenice

The archaeological complex contains findings dating from the Neolithic to the Migration Period. One area of the site measures 80 by 20 metres. It is surrounded by a ditch two metres wide and one metre deep, as well as a lower inner earthwork. These measurements describe the site concretely; at the same time, the long timespan helps place the findings in a broader historical context.

The grave of a woman about 50 years old was also discovered at the site. The rich grave goods included objects made of bronze, silver, glass, and amber. Alongside the archaeological complex’s wide timespan, this individual grave brings a specific burial and its diverse grave-goods materials into focus.

Protestant Heritage and Historic Buildings

The Tolerance Prayer House is one of the last surviving architectural monuments of its kind in the Czech Republic and preserves historic furnishings. The protected ensemble also includes the vicarage at No. 34, a boundary wall, and the associated plots. The ensemble therefore comprises not only the prayer house itself, but also the named buildings and land.

The Protestant cemetery lies on the northwestern edge of the village, behind the Tolerance Prayer House, and was established in 1827. Another chapter in the village’s history is the former Protestant school: classes began there in 1863, and the building was used as a school until 1965. Today it is privately used as a residence and is not open to the public. Check access again before visiting.

The Libenice fortress was first mentioned in 1437. Its original, probably small Gothic form was remodelled and extended from 1574 by Jan Libenický z Vrchovišť. This created a Renaissance building that retained its fortifications. The dates refer to different stages: 1437 marks the first mention, while 1574 marks the start of the later remodelling and extension. The surviving fortress is incorporated into House No. 1 and is not open to the public; check access again before considering a visit.

Chapel, Village Square, and Landscape

At the southern edge of the village, the Chapel of the Virgin Mary stands beside the road to Grunta. It is probably a niche chapel dating from the late 18th century and contains a painted image of the Assumption of Mary. A copy of a stone stele, or menhir, stands in the village square. The Libenice Oak is protected as a landscape-defining tree because of its age, biological significance, and aesthetic value.

The locations mentioned provide a spatial orientation within Libenice: the archaeological site lies on the northeastern edge of the village, near the turnoff from the Kolín–Čáslav road. The cemetery is on the northwestern edge, behind the Tolerance Prayer House, while the Chapel of the Virgin Mary is on the southern edge, beside the road to Grunta. These different reference points help distinguish the village’s historical and landscape themes from one another.

Discover more destinations: Přehvozdí, Nebovidy, Dobřichov, Nova Ves I, Kbel, Lošany, Polní Voděrady, Rostoklaty.

For the broader travel overview: Kolín District.