Skřivany: Castle History and Vojtěch’s Oak

Skřivany is well suited to a trip that gives equal weight to architectural history and distinctive outdoor places. The castle, the Church of St. Anne and the wooden bell tower reveal several historical periods; Vojtěch’s Oak, the educational trail and the Vrší viewpoint add places connected with nature and remembrance. When looking for a hotel in Skřivany, it helps to decide in advance whether architectural history, the commemoration of Václav Vojtěch or the cycling trip will be the focus of your travel plans.

Castle, Church and Bell Tower

Skřivany Castle is protected as an immovable cultural monument under registration number ÚSKP 46918/6-694. Its architectural history includes several distinct phases: around 1720, the old Renaissance fortress was probably extensively rebuilt as a Baroque castle. In 1867–1868, Gustav Ledvinka had the castle completely remodelled in the Windsor Neo-Gothic style to a design by Josef Niklas. The building’s history thus spans an earlier fortress, the Baroque period and a later, distinctive design.

The Church of St. Anne adds to this overview: it was founded in 1720 as the castle chapel of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and dedicated to St. Anne in 1842. It has been a protected monument since January 22, 1964. The bell tower also tells of different periods. The wooden, hexagonal bell tower is believed to date from after 1720. Following the sugar factory fire in 1905, it was erected behind the road at its present location. It was fully restored in 2004; the following year, it received a newly cast bell. A look at the local buildings thus reveals their foundation, remodelling, dedication and restoration as distinct historical events.

Václav Vojtěch and the Old Tree

A monument to Václav Vojtěch stands in the park in front of the municipal office. It commemorates the traveller who, as part of Admiral Byrd’s expedition, became the first Czech to set foot in Antarctica. Vojtěch’s Oak offers another connection to his life story: the more than 400-year-old pedunculate oak stands near the forester’s lodge where Dr. Václav Vojtěch was born, on the road from Skřivany to Myštěves. The tree is 27 metres tall and has a trunk circumference of 690 centimetres. The monument and the tree offer different points of interest: one recalls the Antarctic journey, while the other is near his birthplace. There are benches and information boards at Vojtěch’s Oak. The Dr. Václav Vojtěch educational trail also runs around the tree; check the trail conditions locally.

River, Viewpoint and Cycling Route

The Cidlina flows along the eastern edge of Skřivany, and its riverbed has been partly regulated. From Vrší, there are views across Skřivany and the surrounding area. In fine weather, visibility also extends to the Chlumecké vrchy and the volcanic hills around Jičín, with the Giant Mountains as a backdrop. The river and viewpoint offer two further perspectives on the surroundings, complementing the architectural and memorial sites.

There is also an educational trail and a cycling route to consider when planning, each with different details. The 36.5-kilometre “Město českých královen a studentských merend” cycling route passes through Skřivany on its way to Sloupno. Check the route details before setting off, and check the educational trail conditions locally as well.

Plan Your Transport

Skřivany is also served by railway line No. 040, between Chlumec nad Cidlinou, Stará Paka and Trutnov. Check timetables and stops before travelling so that you can plan your journey using the current service information.

Discover more destinations: Čistěves, Všestary, Vysoký Újezd, Lovčice, Střezetice, Syrovátka, Praskačka, Písek.

Return to the broader travel overview: Hradec Králové District.