Újezdec brings together a distinctive natural area, protected cultural heritage and an archaeological testament to the Early Bronze Age. The salt meadow, the Chapel of the Virgin Mary and a jug from Újezdec offer different ways to explore the place: through its habitats, historic village layout and the classification of a find within the Únětice culture.

A rare salt meadow area

Slaná louka u Újezdce covers 1.3318 hectares and is a Site of Community Importance in the Natura 2000 network (CZ0210173). The protected habitat is an inland salt meadow. The protected area lies on the eastern edge of Újezdec and partly within the built-up area. Most of the area consists of water bodies; there are also near-natural dry grasslands and shrub formations on calcareous soils. The area should therefore not be understood simply as a uniform meadow: water, dry open areas, shrubs and the salt meadow all contribute to its character. This combination makes the natural area a clear focal point of the village.

Slaná louka u Újezdce is one of the last remaining subhalophilous meadows in Central Bohemia. Several subhalophilous species find refuge here; they are now very rare in the surrounding landscape. These include Lotus tenuis, Melilotus dentatus, Juncus gerardii and Carex distans. “Subhalophilous” refers to the relationship of these species to salt-influenced sites. The botanical distinction therefore lies not in just one plant: rare species and a particular habitat occur together in the same protected area.

Chapel, village layout and Bronze Age

The Chapel of the Virgin Mary is a protected immovable cultural monument, registered under number ÚSKP 25094/2-3681. It dominates the northern part of the central area in Újezdec’s original urban layout. A pond forms part of the southern section of this original layout. The village layout cannot therefore be reduced to the monument alone: the chapel and pond are two distinct features belonging to the central and southern areas, respectively.

An archaeological jug from Újezdec belongs to the Únětice culture of the Early Bronze Age. It adds an archaeological perspective to the picture of the village: while the chapel is a protected building integrated into the original village layout, the jug represents the classification of an archaeological object within an early cultural period. The natural area, village history and archaeology thus offer different points of interest without telling the same story.

Walking and cycling

A red-marked hiking route runs near Újezdec. The Labská cycle route also runs near the area. Újezdec is also one of the participating municipalities in the Labská stezka network of the Mělnicko-Kokořínsko tourism region. If you are planning a specific hike or cycle ride, check the actual route beforehand.

Choose the right focus

When looking for a holiday apartment, you can first decide what you want to shape your stay: the distinctive natural area, the listed building and village layout, or a planned hike or cycle ride.

For the broader travel overview: Mělník District.