Velemyšleves: Cultural History, Nature and Cycling Route

Velemyšleves brings together several distinct themes for planning a trip: local history, archaeology, protected nature and routes. Its historical heritage ranges from a chapel and a statue to a succession of former fortifications and a Baroque chateau. There is also an important archaeological site and distinctive plant habitats. If you are looking for a hotel for a trip to Velemyšleves, these different highlights can help you tailor your stay to your interests. The local history is not limited to a single building; the landscape and the route to Chomutov offer additional points of interest.

Buildings and Historical Development

At the northern edge of Velemyšleves, on the main road, stands the Neo-Romanesque Chapel of St Anthony. It dates from 1863. There is also a statue of St John of Nepomuk by house number 90, dated 1746. The dates mark two clearly different periods in the town’s heritage: the statue is more than a century older than the chapel. This brings together a 19th-century building and an older religious monument in the village.

At the site of the former chateau complex, a 14th-century fortification was followed by a second fortification in the 16th century and then a Baroque chateau. The main building of the former complex was lost in 1989. A Baroque barn dating from 1736 stands in the farmyard of the former chateau complex. The barn and the lost main building are therefore two distinct points of reference: the date 1736 belongs to the barn, while 1989 marks the loss of the main building. The sequence of fortifications and the chateau describes several building phases at the same site.

Archaeology and Nature Conservation

The archaeological site lies in a former sand quarry north of Velemyšleves, on the left-hand side of the road towards Most. It is the largest excavated settlement of the Knovíz culture in Bohemia. Alongside the historic buildings, the settlement of the Knovíz culture is another distinct theme in the area’s history.

The northern part of the protected Natura 2000 site Stráně nad Chomutovkou lies about 800 metres southeast of the centre of Velemyšleves. The area protects fragments of saline meadows and xerothermic grasslands with rare halophytes. Xerothermic grasslands are dry, warm-climate grasslands; halophytes are plants adapted to saline habitats. Thus, the area’s natural significance includes not only its location but also specific habitat types and a distinctive group of plants.

Cycling Route and the Valley towards Chomutov

Cycling route 3034 runs through Velemyšleves on the Postoloprty–Výškov–Velemyšleves–Chomutov route. Its total length is given as 27.93 kilometres and may change slightly as the route is adjusted. This figure describes the entire route, not just the section in Velemyšleves. Check the current route markings before setting off.

The “Údolím říčky Chomutovky” route leads from Velemyšleves to Chomutov along the Chomutovka valley. The two routes can therefore be distinguished by the information given about them: the course and total length are specified for cycling route 3034, while the other route focuses on the valley between the two places. Check local conditions for this route.

Discover more destinations: Veltěže, Mecholupy U Zatce, Jimlín, Zbrašín, Postoloprty, Blažim, Lišany, Zatec

For the broader travel overview: Okres Louny.