Staré Smrkovice: Fortress History and Chicory

Staré Smrkovice offers several concrete points of interest when choosing a destination for your stay: the site of a former fortress, the history of chicory processing and a stretch of river in the “Javorka a Cidlina - Sběř” area. These topics are quite distinct, ranging from visible moat remains to the history of crafts and production, and a designated habitat.

Fortress on the Banks of the Javorka

Staré Smrkovice is located on the site of a former fortress, which is documented in written sources dating from 1347. Remains of the moat can still be seen on the edge of the present-day village, but no structural remains have survived. The fortress stood on the right bank of the Javorka. Its defensive ditches were supplied with water from the river. The year and the visible feature in the landscape thus offer two distinct ways to explore the history of the fortress site.

Chicory, School and Crafts

The history of the village extends beyond the fortress. The school in Staré Smrkovice was built in 1861. The local craft tradition included three basket weavers. Another line of work is reflected in chicory processing: at the historic “Cikoria” company, 3,404 q of chicory and 234 q of sugar beet were dried. Basket weaving and drying represent different forms of local work: manual craft on the one hand, and the processing of two crops at a business on the other. A chicory-drying plant, also known as a chicory coffee roastery, still stands in Staré Smrkovice. It adds a surviving building from the village’s history to the historic production figures.

River Area and Protected Species

The “Javorka a Cidlina - Sběř” Site of Community Importance includes a documented stretch of river in Staré Smrkovice. The area is a habitat for the dusky large blue butterfly (Maculinea nausithous) and the depressed river mussel (Unio crassus). Part of the river mussel population was relocated to the Javorka channel near Staré Smrkovice. The main channel is partly regulated and partly near-natural; extensively managed wet meadows lie in the surrounding area. Thus, besides its historic role in the defensive ditches, the Javorka also has an ecological significance: the protected area brings together a stretch of river, the character of the watercourse and its habitats. If you wish to learn more about the area from a specialist perspective, check current nature conservation information for species status and distribution before planning a visit for this purpose.

Planning Tips

The local community pub offers short-term rental of its side rooms and hall. If you are planning to use this option, confirm availability before travelling. An announcement from 2026 described competitions for children involving games and physical activities at the “End of the Summer Holidays” event. Kittlerův mlýn is an inaccessible mill in Staré Smrkovice; check its access status again before visiting.

Discover more destinations: Mlynec, Vřesník, Údrnice, Sobčice, Bystřice, Běchary, Úhlejov, Rohoznice

For the regional travel overview: Jičín District.