Holice V Čechách – Culture, History and Trails

Holice V Čechách brings together architectural history and culture with trails that explore different aspects of the town. When planning your trip, you can choose to focus on sacred architecture, the Africké Muzeum Dr. Emila Holuba, historic sites or outdoor activities. The Od Holuba k Malichovi trail combines several themes; other options, such as the route to the Holice Uprising or the Motokrosová trať Michaela Špačka, each have their own focus.

Church, Bell and Fortress Grounds

Kostel sv. Martina was built in the Baroque style between 1736 and 1739, based on plans by court architect Kilián Ignác Dientzenhofer. Inside is a main altar with a painting of Saint Martin, as well as stone and pewter baptismal fonts dating from the 16th century. The original Martin bell, dating from 1499, has also been preserved in the church. The architecture, furnishings and bell thus represent different periods in the town’s architectural and cultural history.

West of the church lies the former Holice fortress grounds, with remains of a fortress dating from the mid-14th century. Square platforms with clearly visible corner bastions remain at the southwest and northwest corners; these are about 13 metres in diameter. Remains of the moat are also visible on the west side. The bastions and moat give the historic site a different character from the Baroque church and its furnishings.

Museum and Sokolovna

The Africké Muzeum Dr. Emila Holuba focuses its exhibition primarily on the life, expeditions and work of Dr. Emil Holub and his wife, Růžena Holubová. The museum displays collections and also explores Holub’s significant ethnographic work. Visitors interested in biographies and expeditions will find a different way to discover Holice here than through its church and fortress history.

The Sokolovna is also part of the town’s architectural history. This architecturally significant building was constructed to designs and plans by architect Otakar Novotný. Its foundation stone was laid in August 1912; the ceremonial opening took place in August 1913 during the Sokol district festival. Today, the building is used exclusively for sports by local schools and clubs. Its history and present-day use should therefore be considered separately.

Trails through History and Nature

The Od Holuba k Malichovi educational trail combines architecture and history with the flora and fauna of the town park and contemporary art. It also covers the May Uprising battles. At 4.3 kilometres long, with an approximate duration of 90 minutes, it offers a clearly defined time frame for the tour. It ends near its starting point at Základní umělecká škola Karla Malicha. The terrain is easy; the route is suitable for visitors of all ages, pedestrians and wheelchair users.

Another historic trail follows the route Po stopách holického povstání. It leads to places associated with the Holice Uprising at the end of the Second World War. Unlike the Od Holuba k Malichovi trail, its central focus is the historic sites of the uprising; no further route details are provided.

Městský park on Smetanova Street also has its own history. On 26 March 1883, František Holub senior presented a proposal to create it at a general meeting of the citizens’ fund, which allocated 873 gulden for the project. The proposal was to landscape the area, which was then on the outskirts of the town, as a park. The park thus connects the town’s present-day natural setting with a specific initiative from the 19th century.

Another Focus: Motocross

The Motokrosová trať Michaela Špačka in Holice is a natural track 1,955 metres long and at least six metres wide. If you are planning a training session, arrange it by phone. Since track conditions can change, check them before training. The track measurements give a concrete idea of the facility; however, they do not indicate a suitable time or current conditions.

When looking for a hotel in Holice V Čechách, your reason for travelling can help determine your focus: the church, fortress history and museum shape a cultural trip; the educational trails offer different highlights, while the Motokrosová trať provides a distinct sporting option.

Discover more destinations: Staré Hradiště, Vyšehněvice, Jankovice, Labské Chrčice, Mikulovice, Přelouč, Zdechovice, Chýšť.

For the regional travel overview: Okres Pardubice.