On the southern slope of the Velišský Ridge, Bukvice brings historical heritage together with a landscape shaped by fields, meadows, hills and forests. The village can be explored through several distinct themes: its written history, landmarks in the village, a gallery, and marked trails and viewpoints. This lets you decide in advance whether your trip will focus primarily on cultural history or on the landscape around Bukvice.
Landscape on the Velišský Ridge
Fields, meadows, hills and forests give the area its rural character. Its location also offers varied views: from Bukvice, at 318 metres above sea level, and Křelina, at 368 metres, you can see the panorama of Český ráj, including the Prachov Rocks, as well as the landscape that gradually gives way to the Polabská nížina. These elevations and places provide a clear point of reference for anyone who wants to discover Bukvice not only through its historic buildings, but also through its setting in the landscape.
The surroundings are not a single, uniform backdrop, but a mix of fields and meadows, hills and forests. Together with views towards the Polabská nížina, this creates a landscape in which the transition between areas is as much a part of the experience as the views of Český ráj. If you are considering a destination where village history and landscape sit side by side, these two facets of Bukvice are a good starting point.
Centuries of Village History
The first written mention of Bukvice appears in a royal charter issued by John of Luxembourg on 12 March 1327. The village’s landmarks date from a later period: a Calvary group from 1740 stands in the village square. At the other end of the village is a statue of St John of Nepomuk, dating from 1765; the Baroque Chapel of St John of Nepomuk was built in 1767.
These dates place the three landmarks in chronological order: the Calvary group is the oldest of those mentioned, while the statue and chapel date from the following decades. The chapel adds a Baroque building to the two other points of interest. Visitors exploring the village’s history will therefore find not only its early written record but also concrete examples from the 18th century. The different types of landmark—the Calvary group, statue and chapel—bring this history to life not just through dates, but through distinct forms of religious heritage.
A Gallery and Themed Discoveries
In 2004, Eva and Jiří Valter opened the “Na Špejcharu” gallery in their weekend house. The owners make the granary available to other artists. If you plan to visit the gallery, check its current programme before your trip. The tourist information centre in Bukvice also offers quests from the Mariánská zahrada area, including “A Journey to the Forest Chapels of the Mariánská zahrada.” Alongside the permanent historical landmarks, visitors can thus find a themed activity that combines exploration with a specific task.
Walking Trail and Field Tracks
A yellow-marked walking trail runs along the HC1 field track. Field tracks between Bukvice and Křelina are among the routes suitable for cycling. The Bukvice–Křelina field-track project connects Bukvice with the cadastral area of Nadslav; the project was implemented in 2025. When planning your visit, it is helpful to distinguish between the routes: the yellow-marked route is designated as a walking trail, while the field tracks between Bukvice and Křelina are suitable for cycling, among other uses.
The information about trails and landscape adds another way to experience the village alongside its cultural landmarks. You can plan your trip according to whether you are more interested in local history, the gallery and themed quests, or would rather focus on the landscape and trails. If you are considering Bukvice as a place to stay, bear in mind which of these interests matters most for your trip when looking for accommodation.
Discover more destinations: Údrnice, Choteč, Konecchlumí, Ostroměř, Sobotka, Svatojanský Újezd, Zámostí-Blata, Zelenecká Lhota.
For the broader travel overview: Jičín District.
