Velvary offers several ways to explore the town’s history: an educational trail with 15 stops leads through the historic centre and tells the stories of important buildings and their residents. The museum, city gate and churches each add their own perspective. Other highlights include an educational trail through the cemetery, a route through the wetlands and the pre-Easter Vajíčkobraní. When planning your visit, you can first decide whether to focus on architectural history, exhibitions, the landscape or a seasonal event.
Educational Trails with Different Themes
The Velvarské památky educational trail presents stories of important buildings and their residents at 15 stops. It runs through the historic centre. The Velvarský hřbitov educational trail, by contrast, focuses on notable people buried in Velvary Cemetery and has 21 stops. The number of stops is not the only difference: one trail explores architecture and town history, while the other shares life stories connected with the cemetery. Those interested in changes to the landscape and water management can explore a third theme on the Velvarské mokřady educational trail. It consists of a 1,100-metre circular route followed by a 2,100-metre route with six stops. The trail covers the cultural landscape and efforts to retain water. This makes it possible to choose a route based on its subject rather than treating them as a single programme.
Museum and Archaeological Finds
The Velvary Municipal Museum has a permanent exhibition spread across six rooms and dedicated to the history of Velvary and its surroundings. The archaeological exhibition spans the period from the Stone Age to the Early Middle Ages. The objects on display also include part of the Malovary tin hoard. These offer two complementary perspectives: the exhibition on local and regional history provides a broad overview, while the archaeological artefacts bring early settlement and material finds into focus. Together with the educational trails, they offer ways to explore historical themes both in exhibition rooms and at named locations.
City Gate and Churches
The Pražská brána was built in 1580 as part of Velvary’s fortifications, on the foundations of an older, probably Gothic gate. It is a Renaissance gate and a tangible link to the history of the town’s defences. Visits are possible throughout the year by prior arrangement through the Municipal Museum; please arrange your visit in advance. St George’s Cemetery Church was built between 1613 and 1616 and is considered a unique example of Renaissance art in the region. St Catherine’s Church tells a different architectural story: originally a Gothic parish church, it was first mentioned in 1337. A Late Gothic sacristy with fragments of wall paintings and Renaissance elements in the interior have survived. Velvary also retains its original urban layout, valuable public buildings, townhouses and remains of its fortifications. These buildings are not only examples of individual periods, but also offer different ways to explore the town’s historic streetscape.
Vajíčkobraní Before Easter
Vajíčkobraní is a traditional pre-Easter event in Velvary. It recalls an egg-related legend associated with the construction of Charles Bridge. The programme on the main square includes Easter and egg markets, offering eggs and other goods, along with refreshments and accompanying activities. The market combines the egg tradition with a seasonal occasion and other local offerings. If you would like to plan your trip around Vajíčkobraní, check the dates for the relevant year. Outside this period, the museum, historic buildings and educational trails with their different themes remain independent points of interest to consider when planning your visit.
Discover more destinations: Neuměřice, Jemníky, Poštovice, Malíkovice, Lány U Rakovníka, Horní Bezděkov, Žilina U Nového Strašecí, Libušín.
For the broader travel overview: Okres Kladno.
