Lukavec u Hořic: Valley, Forests and Local History

Lukavec u Hořic lies in a valley characterised by meadows at the northern foot of the wooded Chlum Hills and is surrounded by forests on three sides. The Byšičky Nature Monument covers the cadastral area of Lukavec u Hořic. The landscape and local history give the town its distinct character: alongside forests, ponds and peat meadows, historical traces and monuments are part of the picture.

The Landscape Around Lukavec u Hořic

Most of the Byšičky Nature Monument consists of woodland of varying composition, including some natural stands. Several ponds adjoin the forests, and unique peat meadows lie in the flood zone. The entire complex is an important biocentre in a predominantly agricultural landscape. Several landscape features therefore come together here: forest, bodies of water and peat meadows. Travellers particularly interested in nature and landscapes will find specific points of interest in these varied features when planning their trip.

The Lukavecký Stream, also known as Lukava, Lukavec and Lukavý, flows through Lukavec u Hořic. Its source is at the Osmik pond near the Byšičky forester’s lodge. The stream, pond and forester’s lodge are therefore part of the same local geography; all the different names refer to this stream.

Historical Traces and Monuments

Lukavec was founded in the first half of the 13th century. The original settlement included a manor farm, three to five farmsteads and a fortress. The former fortress was demolished in the 18th century. It probably stood near today’s house no. 44; changes in the terrain from former defensive ditches and ramparts have been preserved. The town’s history thus encompasses both its medieval beginnings and surviving traces of its former fortifications.

Some timber houses in Lukavec u Hořic date from the late 18th or early 19th century. The Lukavecký Cross stands opposite the municipal building. It was erected in 1844 and restored in 1880 and 1896. In 1922, a stone monument bearing the names of the fallen was erected on a hill in the town centre. These sites and structures differ in age and form: they include older timber houses, a cross restored several times and a 20th-century monument.

Commemorations and Activities

Commemorative events celebrating the founding of the state are held at the war memorial on 28 October. During the reunion of former residents, a procession also makes its way to the monument. Another cultural event was Lukavecké zelobraní: its second edition took place at the Lucerna restaurant on 6 March 2026. The competition was for the best homemade sauerkraut. It added a culinary highlight alongside the commemorative events.

Lukavec has a bathing area in a fire pond. Entry and swimming are at your own risk; check the conditions on site before use. Cycle route no. 4135 also passes through Lukavec u Hořic. If you are travelling by bicycle, check the current signs before setting off. The bathing area and cycle route offer different ways to explore the town: use of the former is explicitly at your own risk, while for the latter, the route signs are the practical point of reference.

When planning your trip, you can choose between different points of interest: the surroundings shaped by meadows, forests and ponds, the town’s historical traces and the leisure options mentioned above.

Discover more destinations: Stara Paka, Svatojanský Újezd, Prachov, Podhorni Ujezd A Vojice, Češov, Sběř, Červená Třemešná, Vitiněves.

For the wider travel overview: Jičín District.