Horní Dubňany: Church, Traditions and Cycling Route

Horní Dubňany can be explored through three distinct themes: its Romanesque-influenced church complex, a traditional Holy Week custom and the Mlynářská Trail, a themed cycling route. The surrounding countryside is also rolling, with fields and occasional small patches of woodland. This gives you several starting points for planning your trip: architectural history and religious monuments, a local custom and a specific cycling route.

The Church of Saints Peter and Paul and its surroundings

The parish Church of Saints Peter and Paul has a Romanesque core and was probably built as early as the 12th century. Its stone Romanesque entrance portal dates from the second half of the 12th century; animal reliefs decorate the sides of the lintel.

The surrounding wall is also an important structural and architectural part of the church complex. Tombs of the owners of the Tulešice estate are arranged around it. There is also a protected cross beside the church. At its foot are Saint Mary Magdalene and an angel holding a cartouche. Nearby, a Baroque statue of Saint John of Nepomuk adds to the town’s religious monuments. Together, the portal, wall, tombs and sculptures offer several tangible points of interest for exploring the local architectural and church history.

Saints Peter and Paul is an active parish church with regular services. If you would like to plan your visit around one, check the current service times in advance.

Holy Week traditions and pilgrimage

The municipal description from 2014, updated in January 2020, recounts a tradition observed during Holy Week. According to the description, the boys of Horní Dubňany gather at the church with their Hrkači. They then make their way through the entire village along a traditional route, pushing handcarts known as Trakače in front of them. The route is described as having remained unchanged for several generations. The custom thus includes both the gathering at the church and the procession through the village; for visitors interested in traditional customs, it offers a distinct way to engage with local history.

The Dubňanská pouť in honour of Saints Peter and Paul is also part of the town’s festive history: in 2015, it was held in Horní Dubňany as an annual pilgrimage.

The Mlynářská Trail and the landscape

Themed cycling route Mlynářská Trail passes through Horní Dubňany and continues as far as Hardegg. If you are planning a section of the route, check its current course and signage before setting off. The countryside around the village is rolling, with fields and occasional small patches of woodland.

The Horní Dubňany cadastral area also includes the Site of Community Importance Pod Rybníkem (CZ 0622176), designated under the national list. It is part of the Natura 2000 network. This adds a clearly identified protected area to the description of the rural landscape. When choosing your destination, you can weigh up whether the church complex and traditional customs are your main interests, or whether the Mlynářská Trail is an important reason to visit as a cycling route.

Discover more destinations: Podhradí Nad Dyjí, Rudlice, Hostim, Mikulovice, Dyje, Litobratřice, Damnice, Stálky

For the broader travel overview: Znojmo District.