The Church of St. Wenceslas, a branch church in Horky, combines a Baroque building with a Romanesque core and stands on a low hill visible from far away. There, the Čáslav Basin gradually gives way to the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands. Another specific link to the locality is Horky u Čáslavi railway station on line 230 between Kolín and Havlíčkův Brod.

St. Wenceslas: Romanesque Core and Baroque Details

The church’s core dates to around the early 13th century; some sections of the walls are originally Romanesque. The simple late Baroque exterior features broad windows with segmental arches. This brings together older sections of masonry and a later architectural style in one building.

The furnishings also point to the mid-18th century. The Baroque organ gallery dates from this period and was built at the same time as the church. The wooden Rococo pulpit is also from the mid-18th century. It is located on the north side of the nave and is accessible from the sacristy. The hilltop setting and the transition between basin and highlands add the area’s geographical context to the building’s history.

Local History and Memorials

The first written mention of Horky dates to 1268, when a priest from Horky was mentioned. A fortress in the village was first recorded in 1454 and later disappeared. During the fighting in 1618, Horky and the church burned down. After the construction of the important railway line in the 1880s, Horky grew considerably. These historical milestones tell of different stages in the development of the village, from the earliest written record to growth linked to railway construction.

There are memorials to various events in the area around Horky. The Pomník padlých commemorates five people who died in Horky on 5 May 1945 under fire from the occupying forces. Those killed included members of the resistance, which had just been formed.

Another memorial is the Pomník inženýra Muchy. During training for a race on 6 June 1934, a driver went off the road near Horky. He was seriously injured and died from his injuries on 24 June 1934. The memorial was erected a year later, in 1935.

The Pomníček Josefa Havelky commemorates Josef Havelka, a farmer from Potěhy. He was shot in Daleky on 23 January 1902. This memorial adds another, much earlier chapter to the remembrance of the events of 1934 and 1945.

Getting There by Train

Horky u Čáslavi railway station is on line 230 between Kolín and Havlíčkův Brod. For specific train travel, check the timetable for your preferred travel date. The station provides step-free access to the station building or shelter and to all platforms. For travelers who rely on step-free access, this is a practical point to consider when planning.

The rail connection and the village’s history complement Horky’s cultural focus with practical guidance. When planning a trip, you can therefore take into account both the station’s location on the line and your own interest in architectural history and memorials.

Discover more destinations: Zleby, Miskovice, Bohdaneč, Červené Janovice, Starkoč, Vlkaneč, Žehušice, Třebešice

See the broader travel overview: Okres Kutná Hora.