Bílence: Church, Castle and Cycle Route

Two different themes are at the heart of planning a trip to Bílence: the history of the church and castle, and Cycle Route No. 3034. The two historic buildings represent different periods of construction; the cycle route connects the town with Postoloprty and Chomutov. If you are looking for a hotel in Bílence, you can first decide whether local history or a cycling trip will be the focus of your stay.

Church on the village square

The church dedicated to St. Bartholomew stands on the village square. It was built in the second half of the 15th century as a chapel for the Hrobčický family of Hrobčice. Count Filip of Kolovrat had it completely rebuilt in 1734. Its history therefore comprises two clearly distinct phases: its construction as a chapel and its later complete rebuilding. The dedication, original function as a chapel, and the work carried out in 1734 describe different aspects of the same building: its religious connection, its original purpose, and a later structural alteration. The chronology extends from the second half of the 15th century into the first half of the 18th century.

Baroque castle in the farmyard

The castle building has survived to this day. In the last quarter of the 18th century, the Auerspergs built a small Baroque castle with Neoclassical elements in the right-hand part of the farmyard. The term “Baroque castle” identifies its basic classification; the addition of “Neoclassical” adds further architectural elements to this description. The castle can thus be described both by its architectural style and by its specific location in the farmyard. It dates from a different period than the church: the castle was built in the last quarter of the 18th century, while the church’s 15th-century construction as a chapel and its complete rebuilding in 1734 are the key dates. The historical context also differs: the church is associated with its dedication and earlier function as a chapel, while the castle is associated with the Auerspergs and the farmyard. Together, the two buildings offer different points of reference for the architectural history of Bílence.

Cycle Route 3034 through Bílence

For cyclists, Route No. 3034 is a specific point of reference. It runs from Postoloprty to Chomutov and passes through Bílence at kilometer 18.50, between Velemyšleves and Údlice. The kilometer marker indicates a position along the route, not the distance from Bílence to either endpoint. The municipality’s 2026 route description classifies the route as easy and says it is suitable for all types of bicycles. These two statements address different questions: “easy” describes the route’s difficulty level, while suitability for all types of bicycles refers to the kinds of bicycles that can be used. As route conditions and alignments can change, check the latest information before setting out. This makes the cycle route a distinct travel reference from the town’s historic features: it places Bílence along a connection between two named destinations.

Discover more destinations: Všehrdy, Pysna, Otvice, Chbany, Kovarska, Strupčice, Kadaň, Horní Halze

For the regional travel overview: Chomutov District.