On the southwestern edge of the built-up area, near the brickworks, lies the Kozojedy archaeological site, with its fortress and village centre. The terrain traces of the fortress, the Church of St Wenceslas and the traditional paper nativity scene exhibition give the village concrete historical points of reference. The Češov–Vysoké Veselí educational trail also passes through Kozojedy. When planning your visit, take into account access to the church, the exhibition period and the current route status.

Fortress and archaeological history

The fortress was mentioned in 1375 and burned down by the Hussites in 1423. Visible traces in the terrain have been preserved south of the church. The location on the edge of the village and the traces south of the church give the history a concrete connection to today’s village setting; the two dates mark the mention of the fortress and its destruction.

In the wider region around Kozojedy, the Češov ramparts extend for more than 2 km; the fortification has five entrances. The early medieval and prehistoric hillfort was inhabited and used from prehistoric times through the Middle Ages. Its preserved ramparts are the highest in Bohemia, while the exact date of their construction remains uncertain. Compared with the Kozojedy fortress, this is on a different scale: the Češov ramparts are notable for an extensive fortified area and a long history of use, while Kozojedy is known for the surviving traces of a fortress within the village.

Church and paper nativity scenes

The Church of St Wenceslas is a distinctly Gothic-style timber building. Its wooden bell tower dates from 1689; the date refers to the tower. The church is not normally open to the public. Check the access information again before a possible visit.

A traditional exhibition of paper nativity scenes is held in the former school in Kozojedy near Žlunice. It includes more than 350 exhibits, including nativity scenes from Austria, Germany and Italy. A personal explanation introduces the history of the nativity scenes and provides further information. This way, the exhibition combines viewing the exhibits with context about their subject. Check the current exhibition period before your visit.

Educational trail and Putování

The Češov–Vysoké Veselí educational trail passes through Kozojedy. A description published in 2020 calls it an 18 km circular route with branches. The start and finish are at Mírové náměstí in Vysoké Veselí. The description also mentions twelve information-board stops. Since these route details come from a 2020 description, check the current route before setting out. The condition of the information boards should also be checked on site.

Putování po stezce Češov–Vysoké Veselí takes place every year on the third Saturday in July. Kozojedy was a checkpoint for the 2026 event. Routes for that edition ranged from 5 to 23 km; using a bicycle was recommended, and travel on foot and on horseback was among the permitted options. This makes the event format different from the described 18 km circular educational trail: in 2026, Putování offered several route lengths and permitted ways of travelling. The format may change in later editions, so check the date and current information before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Luzany U Jicína, Mladejov V Cechach, Doubrava, Choteč, Horní Nová Ves, Dílce, Ohařice, Cerekvice Nad Bystřicí

Back to the regional travel overview: Okres Jičín.