Starý Bydžov brings together a range of things to discover: the Church of St. Procopius (Kostel sv. Prokopa) in the town centre, the ash tree Jasan u Starého Bydžova in the southeast, and a significant archaeological find. There is also a memorial to composer Jan Malát, who was born here. This lets you explore the town through its architecture, nature and local history, rather than limiting your visit to a single theme.
Church and Tombstones in the Centre
The Church of St. Procopius (Kostel sv. Prokopa) stands in the centre of Starý Bydžov at a crossroads leading towards Stará Skřeněř, Nový Bydžov, Hlušice and Křičov. Its location provides a clear landmark when exploring the town centre. The church was originally a Romanesque building dating from around 1200. Eight tombstones from the 16th century have also been preserved there.
The church brings together two different periods: its Romanesque origins and the tombstones from several centuries later. This combination makes the area noteworthy for anyone interested in cultural history. The crossroads, with its four directions, adds a practical point of reference in the centre to this historical context.
An Exceptional Ash Tree in the Southeast
Jasan u Starého Bydžova grows in the southeast of the town, on the left-hand side of the road to Nový Bydžov. Its trunk circumference is 660 centimetres. The ash tree is considered one of the five largest in the Czech Republic.
Its precise location is also useful for orientation: the church is in the centre, while the ash tree is in the southeast, beside the road to Nový Bydžov. The two attractions therefore have different locations in the town. Nature lovers will find the ash tree a good reason to explore Starý Bydžov beyond its architectural history.
Archaeological Find and Local Memory
Another part of the town’s history dates back to 1893. During drainage work in the northwestern part of the cadastral area, the Únětice culture hoard was discovered there. It comprises eight disc-shaped earrings and is considered the largest collection of this type of jewellery found in the Czech Republic.
Jan Malát is also part of the town’s memory. He was born in Starý Bydžov on 16 June 1843. A memorial to him stands in the village square; it consists of three sandstone blocks and a commemorative plaque. It was restored in 2014. His biographical connection to the town and the memorial’s distinctive design provide another way to explore its cultural history, alongside the church and archaeological find.
Planning a Trip to Starý Bydžov
The town is also relevant for cyclists: cycle route 144 runs through Starý Bydžov. If you are planning a stay, you can take this route into account as one reason to choose the town. The attractions described here differ clearly in both theme and location: the church is in the centre, the ash tree is in the southeast, and there is also the archaeological history of the cadastral area and the memorial in the village square. This makes it easy to choose Starý Bydžov based on the interests that matter most to your trip.
Discover more destinations: Těchlovice, Kobylice, Divec, Zdechovice, Sendražice, Lubno, Syrovátka, Luzany Nad Trotinou.
For the wider travel overview: Hradec Králové District.
