Osice offers a glimpse into several chapters of local history: the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is first mentioned in 1352, while memorials and monuments commemorate František Škroup and those who fell in the First World War. The village also lies on a raised plain, about 30 metres above the surrounding countryside. Visitors wishing to combine cultural history with views of the landscape will find two distinct ways to explore the area.
The Church and the Rectory: Two Historical Milestones
The Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is first mentioned in 1352; the Baroque rectory dates from the second half of the 18th century and has been a protected monument since 22 January 1964. It includes a stone granary. The church and rectory therefore mark different historical periods: the church’s early mention and the rectory’s considerably later construction. Its protection date adds another, later milestone to the rectory’s history.
Sculptures and Monuments
The sculpture group of Saint Joseph is made of sandstone and depicts the saint with the Christ Child and two angels. It dates from 1735 and has been a protected monument since 1 January 1990. The war memorial commemorates 23 residents of the municipality who fell in the First World War; it was erected in 1932. The number refers to the people being remembered, while 1932 is the year the memorial was erected. The monument to František Škroup was unveiled in 1964: a bronze bust of the composer stands on a round, polished granite pedestal. The works differ in what they commemorate and in form: a religious sculpture group, a shared memorial, and a portrait of a composer.
Remembrance and Music
Škroupův dům played a different role. It was built in 1928 in honour of the famous local figure František Škroup, using funds collected from residents, as a memorial and a cultural and social centre. The building included a theatre hall and a Sokol gymnasium. Unlike individual works of sculpture, it combined the memory of the composer with spaces for cultural and social activities.
The traditional Škroupovy Osice festival is held every year on the first Saturday in June in honour of František Škroup. A regional bulletin from 2023 describes a concert by the Smiling String Orchestra in the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, conducted by Mikuláš Ježek, DiS., as the highlight of the annual Škroupovo hudební odpoledne. If you plan your stay around the festival, check the specific date of that year’s event.
Plan Your Visit and Accommodation
The Pamětní síň Františka Škroupa is located at Osice 1, 503 26 Osice. There are no regular opening hours; visits must be arranged in advance. Confirm the appointment again before travelling. When choosing a holiday rental in Osice, your reason for visiting can be a useful planning guide: the festival takes place on the first Saturday in June, while a visit to the memorial requires an appointment. Check the festival’s exact date for your travel year and confirm your visit appointment before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Račice Nad Trotinou, Vysoká Nad Labem, Lhota Pod Libčany, Kunčice, Stračov, Mokrovousy, Vysoký Újezd, Lubno
Return to the regional travel overview: Okres Hradec Králové.
