In Hořice V Podkrkonoší, sandstone art meets a well-known sweet specialty. Those interested in sculpture will find exhibitions, outdoor sculptures and traces of the local stonemasonry tradition. There are also paths through the town and views from the observation platform of the Masarykova věž samostatnosti lookout tower across the Giant Mountains and the Elbe lowlands of Polabí. You can tailor your stay to your own interests, focusing on art and history or making time for walks and scenery.
Sandstone in the Museum, Gallery and Park
At the Městské muzeum, a permanent exhibition explores sandstone quarrying and the artistic working of stone in the Hořice region. The adjoining Štorchova síň hosts themed exhibitions; the program may change. Galerie plastik offers a different focus: founded in 1908 as the artistic branch of the Podkrkonošské průmyslové museum, it has an extensive exhibition program alongside its permanent exhibition. Its collection includes plaster sculptures by artists and sculptures made from high-quality materials.
More than 100 sandstone sculptures stand in Sochařský park U Sv. Gotharda I and II. The participating sculptors come from Europe, Asia and America. The park is freely accessible year-round; temporary maintenance work may affect access. If you would rather view sculptures indoors, you can make Galerie plastik, with its collection and exhibition program, a focus of your visit. A red-marked hiking trail leads to the gallery from the town square; the walk takes about ten minutes. Check the trail markings and walking time locally.
Stonemasonry Tradition and Town History
The history of stoneworking can also be seen at other sites. Sochařsko-kamenická škola was founded in 1884 as the first school of its kind in the former Austro-Hungarian Empire. The Riegrův obelisk, a 12.4-meter-high sandstone monolith, was unveiled in 1907 and is considered evidence of the skill of local stonemasons. The Baroque Kostel Narození Panny Marie was built to plans by Kilián Ignác Dienzenhofer between 1741 and 1748. Other traces lead to the town’s Jewish history: the synagogue dates from the 1770s, and the old Jewish cemetery, with its historic gravestones, was probably established as early as the second half of the 17th century.
The Masarykova věž samostatnosti on Hořický chlum also combines history and views: it serves as a war memorial and observation tower. From its platform, the view extends across the panorama of the Giant Mountains and the fertile Elbe lowlands of Polabí; visibility depends on the weather. Vrch Gothard is also freely accessible year-round. A red-marked hiking trail leads there from the town square in about ten minutes on foot. Use these approximate details to guide your planning, and check the trail markings and local conditions before your visit.
Walking Trails, Sculpture and Outdoor Activities
For a walk with information panels, take the Naučný okruh, which has 14 stops at important town landmarks. The Chlumíčkova stezka is about 1.5 kilometers long and suitable for strollers and very young children. The Traily Hořice offer a different experience: the three trails, Grizzly, Dáška and Potoky, have a combined length of 3.7 kilometers and range from easy to moderate in difficulty. They are in the woods near Koupaliště Dachova, close to town. As the configuration may change with further development, it is worth checking the current route in advance.
Nearby, Koupaliště Dachova is a natural outdoor swimming pool with remarkable wooden architecture from the 1920s. It operates seasonally, so check opening times before visiting. If you are interested in sculpture as a process, not just as a finished work, consider visiting the Hořické sochařské sympozium. Every two years in July, visitors can watch internationally acclaimed sculptors at work in Lom U Sv. Josefa. The first symposium took place in 1966. Check the dates of upcoming events before travelling.
Hořické trubičky and How They Are Made
Hořické trubičky are also part of the town’s local identity. Since 2007, they have held the European Union’s protected geographical indication and may be made only in Hořice and the surrounding area. Traditional production involves rolling them by hand; machine production is not permitted. Actual practices may vary by producer. This makes the specialty and its production another way to explore the town’s history, alongside its stone monuments and collections.
The Trubičková stezka in Smetanovy sady introduces children in particular to the history and production of this sweet specialty. It has seven stops and seven tasks that lead to a secret solution word. Together with the sculpture trails, it offers two different ways to explore Hořice: through public art or the history of a local pastry. The recurring focus on materials and craftsmanship connects these themes, without requiring a set sightseeing itinerary.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Mladějov, Milovice U Hořic, Žlunice, Sobotka, Žeretice, Bystřice, Libošovice, Vitiněves
For the overview of the wider area: Okres Jičín.
