An originally Romanesque church, a bell tower built in 1695, a 14th-century fortress and Bronze Age finds represent different chapters in the history of Dřevčice. The landscape also shapes the village: Dřevčice lies on a terrace where the Prague Plateau meets the Elbe Lowlands.
Landscape and Orientation
About 250 metres north of the main road that runs through Dřevčice, the terrain drops into the broad valley of “v Chobotech”. The Vinořský potok, which comes from Vinoř, flows through the valley and is also known as Valcha or Chobot. Alongside the terrace, the valley and the watercourse—with its various names—provide two further specific points of reference for the local landscape.
Road II/610 runs through the centre of Dřevčice and connects Prague-Vinoř with Brandýs nad Labem. Road conditions and traffic arrangements can change; check this information before travelling if your plans depend on this route. The pilgrimage route “Pražská pěší pouť do Staré Boleslavi” provides another link: near Jenštejn, it branches off towards Dřevčice. If you are planning to join a particular edition of the walk, check its current dates and arrangements, as these may vary from one edition to another.
Church, Bell Tower and Fortress
The originally Romanesque Church of St Bartholomew dates from the 11th to 12th centuries. An Early Gothic extension was added on its south side, and a new chancel was built in the 18th century. These building phases reflect the church’s development over several centuries. The bell tower has its own story: built in 1695 on the site of a former chapel dedicated to St Florian, it houses three bells.
The originally episcopal Fortress of Dřevčice was built in the 14th century on a spur and protected by water defences. Its surviving sections are open to the public and host various events and celebrations. If your visit depends on a particular event, check the dates in advance, as event schedules can change.
The fortress’s history also includes the Baroque portals of 1776. They form the entrances to farmsteads created when the estate courtyard at the original fortress was divided up. The portals thus connect a visible architectural feature with the later changes to the courtyard. Together with the church and bell tower, they reflect different historical periods; these buildings were not all constructed at the same time.
Archaeological Traces
The Dřevčice–Na Výsluní archaeological site lies on the southeastern edge of the village, beside the road to Svémyslice and the adjoining cemetery. Investigations uncovered and examined 95 archaeological features relating to settlement and burial. The finds include a significant cremation burial ground from the Late Bronze Age, attributed to the Knovíz culture of the Urnfield period. The stated date range is 1350 to 1050 BC, placing the site within a specific period of prehistory.
Another archaeological story concerns the so-called “Dřevčický příbor”. This ceramic assemblage was found on 24 December 1932 while a ditch was being dug along the road from Dřevčice to Popovice. It is now held at the National Museum and is considered, among other things, evidence of a ritual involving the drinking of beverages. While the church, tower and fortress bring architectural history to life, finds like these add archaeological evidence of settlement and burial.
If you are planning a stay in Dřevčice, you can weigh up its different attractions: church architecture and fortress architecture, archaeological history, or its location between the plateau and the Elbe Lowlands.
Discover more destinations: Lázně Toušeň, Radějovice, Modletice, Výžerky, Dobročovice, Jevany, Jenštejn, Mukařov
For the broader travel overview: Praha-Východ District.
