Svatojanský Újezd lies in the Bělohrad Basin, three kilometres west of Lázně Bělohrad. The village square, church and historical traces spanning several centuries give the place a distinct cultural character.
Village Square and Settlement Layout
Svatojanský Újezd preserves the circular settlement layout of the original farmsteads around the village square. The layout can be understood as an arrangement of farmsteads around a shared centre. Today, the square is laid out as a park. The village’s appearance thus brings together an original farmstead layout and a contemporary park design.
Church, Bell and Vernacular Architecture
The Church of St John the Baptist stands on the foundations of a wooden church dating from the second half of the 14th century. It is protected as an immovable cultural monument under catalogue number 1009153539; the protection has been in force since 2 January 2006. Its bell was cast in 1606 and is one of the oldest bells in the region. Timber houses have also been preserved as examples of vernacular architecture. A statue of St John the Baptist dates from 1902.
Liberty Linden and Protected Ash
The Liberty Linden was planted in the village square on 14 May 1919, behind the statue of St John the Baptist. Its trunk circumference is 419 centimetres, and it is about 23 metres tall. Residents meet at the linden for the traditional event “Setkání pod lipou”. If you would like to plan your trip around this gathering, check the current date in advance.
The common ash in the northern part of the built-up area was designated as protected by the Lázně Bělohrad municipal authority in 2004. Together with the Liberty Linden, it is one of the town’s notable trees.
Medieval Traces
The medieval village of “Okrouhlice”, also called “Okrouhlé”, stood on the site of today’s “Okrouhlík” farmstead; it is mentioned in records from 1392 and 1603. Above the farmstead, at a place called “Bačálky”, stood a medieval fortress named “Okrouhlík”. It was built before 1592 and mentioned in 1606. The similar-sounding names refer to two separate historical sites: the former village on the site of today’s farmstead and the fortress above it in Bačálky.
Landscape and Routes
The 314-metre-high Újezdský kopec lies southwest of the built-up area and shapes the landscape. The highest parts of Svatojanský Újezd offer notable views of the town and the surrounding landscape. The marked hiking trail “Cesta Karla Jaromíra Erbena” passes through the municipality. Existing field and forest paths also connect the built-up area with its natural surroundings. Thus, a named, marked route and other links between the settlement and the landscape provide distinct ways to explore the area.
Practical Information
Two different road connections help with orientation: a class III road runs north–south through the village square, while a class II road passes outside the built-up area. The Stanislav Rudolf Library offers free public internet access. Alongside local history and landscape, the road layout and a municipal public service are also part of what defines a stay here.
Discover more destinations: Chyjice, Kyje, Osek, Mladejov V Cechach, Prachov, Dobrá Voda U Hořic, Lazne Belohrad, Samšina
For the main travel overview: Okres Jičín.
