Jirny is an important conservation area with a remarkable historic centre. Those interested in local history will find a range of historical reference points, from Gothic buildings dating back to the 14th century to the 19th-century castle. The nature trail adds themes from nature and archaeology to this perspective.

Building History Around the Town Centre

The Church of St Peter and Paul stands on a hill in the town centre. It is originally Gothic and dates back to the 14th century; it was first mentioned in 1350. The year 1350 marks the church’s first mention, not necessarily the date when it was built. This keeps its architectural style and the recorded year of its first mention distinct as historical points of reference.

The bell tower by the church stands on the site of an older building. It was originally made of wood, later rebuilt in stone, and was Gothic; it probably dates back to the mid-14th century. Unlike the year of the church’s first mention, the dating of this earlier building remains uncertain. Together, the church and bell tower offer two related but differently dated perspectives on the town’s building history.

West of the church stands a statue of St Jude Thaddeus, dated to 1860. Until 1969, it stood at the crossroads towards Horoušany and Nové Jirny. After being repeatedly damaged, it was moved to the church grounds. Its history therefore includes both a specific date of creation and a later change of location.

Castle and Chapel

Jirny Castle was built between 1844 and 1847 on the remains of the Old Castle. The two-storey building was constructed with a tower, gables and battlements. Its construction took place well after the medieval landmarks around the church and bell tower, adding a different point in time to the picture. The castle is closed to the public, so do not plan an interior visit. Check access again before planning a visit.

Another historical landmark is the Chapel of the Virgin Mary: it was built in 1914 in the forest of Nové Jirny, at a place called “V zadních dubinách”. Its location and construction date therefore differ from those of the landmarks in the town centre. Here, the date 1914 and the specifically named place in the forest are the main points of reference.

Nature Trail and Getting There

A description based on a visit in July 2023 calls the “Naučná jirenská stezka” nature trail an approximately 1.5 km circular route. It starts and ends at the intersection of K Lesu and Navrátilova streets in Jirny. It covers monuments, flora, archaeology and fauna. Its themes thus extend beyond building history, bringing together cultural, natural and archaeological points of interest. Trail conditions, signage or what is available may have changed since the description was written; current information boards may also differ. Check these details before your visit.

Jirny lies on the road connecting Brandýs nad Labem–Stará Boleslav with Úvaly, and on the D11 motorway between Prague and Hradec Králové. Road conditions and traffic can change, so check the current route and traffic situation before setting off.

Discover more destinations: Šestajovice, Říčany, Žernovka, Vlkančice, Veliš, Hlavenec, Klíčany, Mnichovice U Říčan.

View the regional travel guide: Okres Praha-Východ.