Dohalice brings together architectural history, sculptures and the course of the Bystřice in a distinctive local story. Particularly striking is the granary at the northern edge of the village: it is a remnant of the former Gothic fortress and preserves traces of later alterations. The church, village square and riverbank add other points of interest. If you are looking for a holiday apartment, you can choose what to focus on in Dohalice based on what interests you during your stay: architecture, sculptures or the connection with the river.
The granary and its building phases
At the northern edge of Dohalice, on the road to Sadová, stands the imposing Baroque granary. It is a remnant of the former Gothic fortress of Dohalice and probably stands on its site. Traces of Renaissance and Baroque alterations have been preserved in its masonry. Different periods therefore come together in the same building: the former Gothic fortress, later changes to the masonry and the granary’s Baroque character. This distinction is important when looking at the architectural history of Dohalice; the granary brings the different phases together without making them one and the same.
Church of St John the Baptist
The present-day Church of St John the Baptist was built in 1894–1896 on the site of a rotunda that had collapsed in 1888. It is a hall-like, three-aisled building. The presbytery has a polygonal end; a rectangular sacristy is located on the south side, and a prismatic tower stands in front of the west façade. “Three-aisled” describes a layout with three longitudinal naves, while the polygonal presbytery closes off the choir. The sequence of events places the church in a different building phase from the fortress barn: the rotunda collapsed, and several years later the new church was built.
Sculptures and memorial sites
The village square in Dohalice is home to a statue of St John of Nepomuk and the “BRIGÁDA KNEBEL” monument. The statue dates from 1832; the monument depicts a standing lion trampling a snake. The same square therefore features two distinct motifs: a saint’s figure and an animal scene. Four war graves are located in Dohaličky by the church wall. They are marked with sandstone plinths and cast-iron crosses; each of the four graves bears a different inscription.
The regional historical context
Dohalice lies in the area where a decisive phase of the Austro-Prussian War of 1866 took place. This historical context adds a regional perspective to the village’s history. Alongside it, the granary, church and sculptures represent specific architectural and artistic themes, each drawing attention to a different period or image.
The Bystřice and the statue of Perseus
The Bystřice flows through Dohalice. On the riverbank, in the meadows between Dohalice and Sadová, stands the statue of Perseus. It was made in 1844 from coarse-grained sandstone and is a remnant of the former park at Sadová Castle. The castle burned down in 1744 and was abandoned. The dates mark two different events: 1744 for the castle’s fire and abandonment, and 1844 for the creation of the statue. The river, meadows and sculpture thus form a distinct theme alongside the architectural history of the village centre. The former park and the castle also give the statue of Perseus its historical context.
These points of interest can help you decide where to travel. The granary and church represent architectural history across different periods; the statues bring distinct visual motifs together; and the Bystřice adds a river and landscape perspective. If you are looking for a holiday apartment, consider which of these aspects matters most to you during your stay.
Discover more destinations: Ohnišťany, Lodín, Smržov U Smiřic, Hradec Králové, Chudeřice, Boharyně, Libníkovice, Sadová
Go to the regional travel overview: Hradec Králové District.
