Baroque sandstone works, an old floodplain forest, and habitats for the fire-bellied toad give Kovač its distinct character. There is also a cycle route through the village and a green-marked hiking trail from the train station. If you are choosing between culture, nature, and outdoor activities for your stay, the specific locations and different route options can help you find your way.
Village setting and notable places
The fortified area of Kovač lies northwest of the village center. A prominent ridge lined with mature trees marks the site. In the center, next to the municipal office, stands the Kovačský jasan. This common ash has a trunk circumference of 530 cm and is 23 m tall. Its clearly identified location and specific dimensions make it a distinct natural landmark alongside the historic sandstone monuments.
A Baroque sandstone statue of Saint Isidore, dating from 1737, stands on the village square beside the bell tower. On September 27, 1996, the Ministry of Culture declared the statue a cultural monument. Its dedication, material, and year of creation give this place a specific historical connection; its location on the village square also makes it easy to distinguish from the other monuments in the village.
Baroque monuments in different locations
At the edge of the village in the direction of Butoves, a sandstone statue of Saint Charles Borromeo stands among lime trees on a tall, cuboid pedestal. Another Baroque landmark is the Chapel of the Virgin Mary. It stands on a hill beside a field path in the direction of Konecchlumí and was built in 1730 at the expense of Jan Jůza of Kovač, a farmer and former village magistrate. Its construction date and named connection to Jan Jůza anchor the chapel in the history of the village.
Behind Kovač, near the junction of the field paths toward Kabáty and Konecchlumí, there is also a wayside shrine, or Boží muka, with a sandstone balustrade. The statue at the edge of the village, the chapel beside the field path, and the wayside shrine at the junction each have distinct location markers. Together, these monuments provide several named points of reference rather than a single cluster of attractions.
Forest and wetland habitats
Kovačská bažantnice is a 30.95-hectare nature reserve. It protects an old floodplain forest ecosystem with diverse forest flora and ancient oaks. Visitors are asked not to pick protected plants or leave litter. The ancient oaks and diverse forest flora are specific features of the protected area; respecting the plants and keeping the area clean are part of planning a visit.
About 800 meters southwest of Kovač lies Rybník Strašidlo, a protected area for the fire-bellied toad and its habitat. The shallow, damp shoreline areas of Hluboký Kovač also provide suitable habitats for amphibians, including the fire-bellied toad. This means that, in addition to the floodplain forest, two distinct wetland areas are highlighted: the named Strašidlo protected area and the amphibian-friendly shorelines of Hluboký Kovač.
Train station, hiking trail, and cycle route
Kovač train station is part of the IREDO integrated transport system in the Královéhradecký and Pardubický regions and is in Zone 587. As this administrative classification may be updated, check the current information before your trip.
A green-marked hiking trail leads from the train station to Konecchlumí and then either to Nová Paka or into the Chlum woods. Check the current trail markings before setting out. For cyclists, KČT Cycle Route 4140 passes through Kovač. Its route description was last updated on January 5, 2012, so check the current signs before setting out.
The two routes differ in their described course: the hiking trail starts at the train station and lists Konecchlumí and two possible onward routes; the cycle route passes through Kovač. When planning, you can first decide whether to follow a hiking connection from the station or a cycle route through the village.
Discover more destinations: Židovice, Miletin, Dobrá Voda U Hořic, Ohařice, Holovousy, Rytírova Lhota, Vysoké Veselí, Libun
For the broader travel overview: Okres Jičín.
