Údrnice combines local history and landscape with a specifically named cycling route. The centre of the village has been in the area around St Martin’s Church since the 9th century; Zlivštejn, also known as Hrádek, lies to the west, above the village’s western edge. To the north, the historic Plužina field system is being reconstructed, while international cycle route No. 14 Berlin–Prague passes through Údrnice. If you are looking for a holiday rental, this offers a helpful way to narrow down your options: would you like to focus your stay mainly on architectural history, archaeological traces, historic cultural landscapes or cycling?
Valley, rise and historic fields
Údrnice lies in the southwestern part of the Jičín Region, in a shallow valley sheltered to the east and northeast by the gentle rise of Na Vrchách. The valley and rise are the two main landscape features that define the village’s setting. The Plužina is being reconstructed to the north of the village. This historic field system consists of long, narrow fields, originally medieval, that follow the contours of the slope. The shape of the fields and their position on the slope go hand in hand: to this day, the Plužina also plays an important role in erosion control. The historic use of the land thus adds a human-made structure with a continuing function to the description of the valley.
St Martin and Zlivštejn
St Martin’s Church provides a specific point of reference for the history of the village centre. The centre of Údrnice has been in the area around the church since the 9th century; the foundations of the parish church were laid at the beginning of the second half of the 14th century. These two dates refer to different historical milestones: the location of the village centre and the beginning of the church’s construction. The church is a listed monument and therefore an anchor of the village’s architectural history.
Zlivštejn, also known as Hrádek, lies to the west, above the village’s western edge. The archaeological site survives as a nearly circular central mound, surrounded by a ditch and an embankment up to three metres high. Zlivštejn is an exceptionally well-preserved manor house of a type between a fortified manor and a castle. The embankment and ditch define its archaeological form; its classification between a fortified manor and a castle also identifies its historic building type. Zlivštejn thus adds an archaeological perspective to the village’s history, while the church represents the area of the centre.
Cycle route and leisure facilities
International cycle route No. 14 Berlin–Prague runs through Údrnice and is marked on the ground and on maps. If you are planning a cycling trip, this gives you a specifically named route that passes through the village. Before setting off, check the current route markings, as signage can change over time. Údrnice has a playground, a children’s play area and a swimming pool for leisure activities. So, as well as cultural heritage and cycling, the village also offers places to play and swim. If these facilities are important to your plans, check their current availability in advance.
Crafts and local customs
The village’s history also includes craft and social traditions. Flax was traditionally processed and linen made in Údrnice. Local customs maintained over generations included wedding and christening traditions. Flax and linen represent the craft aspect of the village’s history, while wedding and christening traditions represent communal rituals. Together with the church, Zlivštejn and the historic field system, they broaden the picture of Údrnice beyond individual buildings and landscape features.
Discover more destinations: Libáň, Ostružno, Třtěnice, Šárovcova Lhota, Staré Místo, Hořice V Podkrkonoší, Osek, Cholenice
For the wider travel guide, see: Jičín District.
