Discover Bílá: architectural history, literature and cycling route

When looking for a hotel in Bílá, you can first consider what you would like to focus on during your trip: sacred architectural history, literature, local architecture or cycling. Historical points of interest include the Church of St James in Letařovice, a Baroque chapel north of Bílá and buildings in the village itself. Cycling route No. 3049 offers a different focus; the Pouť mezi dvěma Jány festival may also be a factor in planning your trip.

Church of St James in Letařovice

The Church of St James in Letařovice is documented as early as 1363. Its wooden coffered ceilings have been preserved, and traces of medieval wall paintings can also be found there. This brings together a written historical reference, the design of the ceiling and remnants of wall paintings. A coffered ceiling is divided into individual panels, while the wall paintings are part of the walls’ decoration. If you are interested in cultural history, an early written record and two distinct features of the interior complement one another here.

Chapel, village square and literary history

A Baroque chapel stands north of Bílá, on the road from Český Dub to Petrašovice. It was built in 1773 and restored in 1881; originally, it was dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The location and dates place the chapel in time and space: the road identifies its location, the two years distinguish its construction from its restoration, and the dedication describes a historical religious connection. A wooden house dating from 1833 also stands on Bílá’s village square. These are different points of reference in time: for the chapel, both its construction and later restoration are specified, while the house is dated to 1833.

A former manor farm in Bílá is mentioned as early as 1567 in the urbarium of the Český Dub estate. Karolina Světlá set the story of her novel Nemodlenec at this former manor farm. This brings together two different connections to the same place: its mention in a historical register and the novel’s literary setting. If you would also like to explore Bílá through literature, Nemodlenec is a specific title that illustrates this connection.

Festival and cycling route

The Pouť mezi dvěma Jány festival in Letařovice includes a traditional Corpus Christi procession. The 2025 programme lists the procession as one of its events; specific programme details may change. If you would like to plan your trip around the festival, check the latest dates and programme in advance.

Regional cycling route No. 3049 Trávníček–Pěnčín–M. Rohozec connects Bílá northwards with Proseč pod Ještědem and southwards with Vlastibořice near Sychrov. These directions help you factor the route into your travel plans: you can check whether the northern connection to Proseč pod Ještědem or the southern one to Vlastibořice near Sychrov better suits your plans. Independently check the route signage again before relying on it for your ride.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Bulovka, Hrádek Nad Nisou, Janovice V Podještědí, Horení Paseky, Svijanský Újezd, Paceřice, Žďárek, Rynoltice.

For the broader travel overview: Okres Liberec.