Butoves: Forests, Forest Ponds and Local History

Butoves lies in the southeastern, relatively flat part of the Jičín Hills. Its varied surroundings are about 250 to 290 metres above sea level and combine open areas with several named woodland areas and ponds. This gives you a choice of themes when planning your trip: walks in the surrounding area, a cycling route and the history of the town. You can focus your stay on nature, cycling or local history.

Forests and Forest Ponds Around Butoves

At the southern edge of Butoves, meadows and fields give way directly to the Dubový (Doubí) forest. To the north are the mixed woodland of Tuřský les and Holubí (Holubův) forest. To the west, Runšov forest stretches beyond the fields. The landscape around the town thus alternates between open countryside and named woodland areas; at the southern edge in particular, meadows and fields meet the forest directly.

There are three other named forest ponds in the Butoves area: Hluboký, Strašidlo and Náklaďák. The latter was formerly also called Nákladní or Nakládka. Hluboký pond lies between the municipalities of Kovač, Butoves and Třtěnice. Check the water conditions and access locally. In 2008, the “Kovačské Modré Žáby” project was carried out at Hluboký to preserve the population of the rare agile frog.

Walking and Cycling

On year-round walks in the area around Butoves, you can observe numerous birds of prey. Which animals you see may vary by season. This makes wildlife watching a nature activity whose specific results cannot be assumed to be the same on every visit.

For a cycling trip, the “Za Rumcjasem” route runs from Třtěnice through Butoves and on to Tuř. It is suitable for road bikes or trekking bikes and follows paved roads. Check the route details before setting off; road conditions can also change. The stated suitability for these types of bike and the road surface give you a concrete starting point for planning, but do not replace checking current conditions.

Local History and the Railway

The history of Butoves goes back to the “Nová Lhota” farmstead, founded in 1392 by the owners of the Veliš estate. The first written mention of the municipality dates from 1395. The present-day name “Butoves” was adopted for the rebuilt village in 1773; 1784 is given as the year the modern municipality was established. These dates mark different stages in the town’s history: its early mention, the adoption of its present-day name and the stated origins of the modern municipality.

The railway is also part of the town’s history. The station within the municipality of Butoves was built and opened on 17 December 1871, along with the branch line of the Austrian Northwestern Railway (ÖNWB) from Ostroměř to Jičín. Butoves railway station is an intermediate operating point with three tracks and a siding on the Ostroměř–Jičín line; operating conditions may change. A steam sawmill was built next to the station in 1888.

Theatre History

The amateur theatre society Tyl is part of the town’s cultural history. On 6 January 1888, Antonín Zajíc, Josef Lemberk and František Šoltys decided to establish the society. The first play was performed in Butoves on 16 December 1888. Between 1895 and 1921, the society staged a total of 20 plays there. It ceased its activities in 1956. The dates tell the story of a longstanding theatre tradition in the town, from the first performances to the end of the society’s activities.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Radim, Kumburský Újezd, Soberaz, Cerekvice Nad Bystřicí, Lazne Belohrad, Žlunice, Parezska Lhota, Svatojanský Újezd

For the overview of the wider region: Okres Jičín.