Zdice offers several different ways to explore the town’s history: a Baroque church with Gothic origins, a cinema in the spirit of Cubism and a military museum. There is also Knihov Forest Park, with a nature trail. Those planning a stay in Zdice can therefore choose to focus on culture, local history or time in the great outdoors.
Church, Town Hall and Cinema: Zdice Through the Centuries
The Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary stands in the town center on the main road. The present Baroque building was constructed in 1747–1749, after the original Gothic church had been demolished. The protected complex includes the church, the mortuary and the surrounding stone wall. Its building history thus spans the Gothic predecessor and the 18th-century Baroque replacement.
The Town Hall also reflects an older building history: it is an immovable cultural monument, and Gothic barrel vaults have been preserved in its cellar. The church and Town Hall therefore offer different points of interest for anyone interested in historic architecture in Zdice. These features relate to different buildings and periods.
A striking contrast is Zdice’s cinema at Zahradní 481. It was built in 1926–1927 to a design by Jaroslav Pouch and Václav Zazvonil, and is considered a cultural monument as well as a unique building in the spirit of Cubist architecture. Its decoration is Rondocubist, and the main façade features a sculpture by Vlastimil Amort. The combination of its construction period, architects and design makes the cinema a destination in its own right for an architecture-focused walk through the town’s history.
The Army Museum Zdice offers a different thematic focus. It is located on the grounds of the former Zdice barracks on Čs. armády Street. The museum presents 20th-century military history, particularly the Second World War and military technology. Thus, military history is also part of Zdice’s offerings, alongside religious and civic buildings.
Knihov Forest Park and Trails with Activities
Those looking to complement a cultural visit with time outdoors can enjoy a different view of Zdice from Knihov Hill. The hill was transformed into a forest park in 1923. The Lesopark Knihov nature trail has twelve activity stations; there is also the Tyršova Trail for children, with activities. These two offerings have different focuses: the activity stations are part of the nature trail, while the Tyršova Trail specifically offers activities for children.
A hiking and cycling tour is also associated with Zdice: Hájemství zelené takes place in the second half of April. If this tour fits your travel plans, check the specific event dates in advance.
The Zdice swimming pool complex also includes a children’s playground and an area for beach sports. If these facilities are an important part of your stay, it is advisable to check their current condition before your visit.
Getting There and Choosing a Focus for Your Stay
From Prague, direct R16 trains run from the main station to Zdice; the journey takes about 50 minutes. This is an approximate guide, not a minute-by-minute schedule. Check the current timetable before departure so you can plan your journey around the train service.
Your interests can help you decide whether to stay in Zdice: you might focus on the church’s architectural history, the cinema’s distinctive architecture, military history or the forest park and its nature trail. The cultural event Poncarovy Zdice, founded in 1999, honors composer and conductor Josef Poncar with a brass band concert; on this occasion, the residents of Zdice remembered him. If you are considering including this event in your plans, check the specific dates in advance. This makes for a stay shaped by the places and activities you have researched, rather than a predetermined itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Lužce, Tetín U Berouna, Trubská, Vysoký Újezd, Bykoš, Tmaň, Hředle, Velký Chlumec.
For the overview of the wider area: Beroun District.
