Central Bohemia can be explored through a wide range of themes: Kutná Hora’s silver-mining history, the landscape and themed trails of the Brdy, and wine-growing around Mělník. The focus you choose shapes the character of your trip. For urban history, medieval structures and sacred buildings take centre stage; on the trails in the Brdy, nature, forestry and former resource extraction set the themes. Castles and routes add further cultural and historical perspectives to this selection.
Silver Town, Sacred Buildings and Castles
Kutná Hora developed through silver mining and became a royal town in the 14th century. The town preserves a medieval layout with Gothic and Baroque buildings. In the Gothic Church of St Barbara, frescoes tell of everyday life in the medieval mining town. The former Cistercian cathedral in Sedlec, restored in the Baroque style, offers a different architectural accent. Together, the two buildings show how closely the town’s history is linked to its mining history.
Two castles also offer distinctive historical landmarks. In the 18th century, Veltrusy Castle hosted the Great Fair of Goods of the Kingdom of Bohemia, considered the world’s first trade fair with catalogues. Lány Castle has been the official summer residence of the Czech head of state since 1921. These different histories can be explored as separate cultural themes rather than combined into a single historical narrative.
The Brdy: Choose Trails by Landscape and Theme
The Brdy are characterised by forests, streams and open clearings, and are considered a wild, relatively undeveloped landscape. The trails cover a wide range of themes. The 5 km trail on Petráčkova hora explores gold, its properties and the history of mining. The 7 km Klobouček educational trail covers modern forestry, its history, the nature of the Brdy and regional history. The 8 km Tok trail introduces visitors to life on the slopes of Tok, which, at 865 metres, is considered the highest mountain in Central Bohemia.
Two more trails are each 10 km long, but have different focuses: Tajuplnými lesy Arcibiskupství pražského ke Třemšínu combines interactive elements with nature and history on the slopes of Třemšín. The educational trail in Komárov traces the history of iron smelting from the Middle Ages to the present day. The 13 km trail around the Padrťské ponds passes through one of the notable open landscapes in the Brdy Protected Landscape Area. The trails’ lengths and themes give you a concrete basis for choosing, without suggesting that every trail offers the same experience.
On the Jordán trail, you can visit the stops in any order and choose where to start and how many to see. The landscape there is sparsely developed and peaceful; in favourable weather, views extend to the Ore Mountains, Milešovka, Říp and as far as Ještěd, among other places. Visibility depends on the weather. For practical planning in the Brdy, it is also important to know that there are generally few snack stands, toilets and waste bins in the protected area. Facilities are mostly found in the municipalities that serve as trailheads or endpoints. The almost 8 km Drbákov–Albertovy skály hike is particularly suited to people who enjoy walking at higher elevations; check trail conditions and safety information before setting out.
Routes, River Landscapes and Wine-Growing
For a cycling route that combines cultural and historical themes, the Greenway Jizera links attractions in Central Bohemia with the history of the automotive and sugar industries. The surface and route may change, so check the current route details. The Dvořák–Veltrusy route is described as a gentle, flat ride that connects two castles with natural and technical sights. It starts beside Nelahozeves railway station and follows signposted paths and a footbridge; crossing at Marina Vltava is also possible. Check the route and crossing options before your trip.
The Posázaví route is just under 40 km long and follows the Sázava River and the local railway through hilly countryside. Its stops include three castles, an ancient hillfort, the monastery in Sázava and traditional glassworks. Detours may slightly change the route and its length. Stand-up paddleboarding and swimming are also available at the start of the cycle path along the Berounka; water conditions vary by season.
Wine-growing offers another way to explore the region. The Mělník wine-growing area includes vineyards around Mělník and smaller vineyards near Kutná Hora, Benátky nad Jizerou, Kralupy nad Vltavou, Čáslav, Beroun and Slaný. Across the larger Bohemian wine-growing area, medieval vineyard terraces, cellars, wine presses and grape-harvesting traditions are part of the landscape. The Regional Museum in Mělník displays objects related to local winemaking and offers wine tastings in its cellars. Wine-growing in the Mělník region has been popular for over 1,000 years; tastings and museum offerings may vary by season, so it is worth checking before your visit.
Discover more destinations: Rakovník District, Mělník District, Příbram District, Kolín District, Kutná Hora District, Beroun District, Benešov District, Mladá Boleslav District, Kladno District, Nymburk District, Prague-East District, Prague-West District.
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