Vrbčany: Discover its church and landscape heritage

If you’re looking for hotels for a trip to Vrbčany, the area’s points of interest offer a practical guide: the Church of St. Wenceslas and the early medieval hillfort reflect its history; nearby, you’ll also find the landscape of Velká Stráž, a climbing sector and protected nature. This can help you decide whether you’re most interested in archaeological traces, church history or natural surroundings when choosing your destination.

The Church of St. Wenceslas and its bells

A Romanesque stone predecessor to the Church of St. Wenceslas was built in Vrbčany before the year 999. Its remains were discovered during an archaeological survey of the church in the 1930s. For those interested in cultural history, the timeline is revealing: the predecessor dates from before 999, while its remains were discovered many centuries later during the survey of the church.

One notable detail is the Pazderňák bell. Cast in 1592, it bears the Smiřický coat of arms and a relief of Christ on the cross. A bell weighing 296 kilograms was consecrated on 29 September 1946. It is still used to announce the death of a Vrbčany resident or a significant church event. The bell heritage therefore includes both a precisely dated work and a church function that is still carried out.

The hillfort and its visible traces

The early medieval hillfort of Vrbčany lies on a low spur above the confluence of Vrbčanský potok and the Výrovka. On today’s fields, prominent changes in elevation are the last visible traces of the former fortifications. A rampart around the fortified area by the church is about 184 metres long and up to 1.6 metres high. The location, terrain features and measurements each offer different clues to the site’s archaeological significance.

The route to the hillfort leads from the centre of the village up steps to the tip of the church spur, then east along unmarked paths. If you plan to take this route, be sure to allow for the section on unmarked paths.

Velká Stráž: landscape, wildlife and climbing

Velká Stráž is in the vicinity of Vrbčany, northwest of the village and on higher ground. There is a disused, partially flooded quarry with a pond, and the landscape has a steppe-like character. The area provides habitat for wild ducks, coots, fish, numerous frogs, dragonflies, lizards and other small reptiles. Marsh harriers also nest there. Wildlife sightings may vary depending on the season.

The quarry is also a climbing sector, with 17 listed routes spread across the right, middle and rear sections. If you plan to climb there, check the climbing conditions and any access restrictions before you go. This keeps climbing plans distinct from wildlife observation: both are part of Velká Stráž, but each calls for a different kind of attention.

Protected nature and regional walking destinations

Another natural attraction in the area is the Stráně u splavu Nature Reserve, on the rocky slopes of the Výrovka valley. It protects heat-loving plant communities of the rocky steppe, as well as numerous specially protected and endangered plant and animal species that favour dry, warm conditions. Thus, the landscape around Vrbčany includes both the pond and steppe-like surroundings of Velká Stráž and a protected area with habitats that favour warmth and dryness.

Vrbčany is stop 6 on the regional project “Tajuplná místa Podlipanska” (“Mysterious Places of Podlipansko”). The project includes a free pocket guide to walks to places surrounded by mysteries and legends; it is available at information centres. The stop places Vrbčany within a regional theme, while the guide features walking destinations focused on legends and mysteries.

Discover more destinations: Červené Pečky, Libenice, Ratenice, Lipec, Krakovany, Vitice, Horní Kruty, Libodřice.

For the broader travel overview: Okres Kolín.