In Újezd Pod Troskami, architectural history and the memory of war take centre stage at specific locations. The Church of St John the Baptist features Neo-Romanesque architecture in sandstone; the Válečné muzeum Újezd pod Troskami covers several historical periods and documents traces of the Second World War. There is also an annual spring festival and a protected steppe slope.
Church on the Edge of the Settlement
The Church of St John the Baptist is a Neo-Romanesque, three-aisled building made of regularly cut, unplastered sandstone blocks. The three aisles and the visibly worked material make the architecture easy to appreciate. The church was consecrated in 1871 and has been considered fully completed since 1874. It stands at the edge of the settlement, on the road by the cemetery. Its location therefore differs from that of the museum, which is right on the village square.
Exhibitions and Traces of War
The Válečné muzeum Újezd pod Troskami is on the village square beside the former U Kolářů inn or shop. Its exhibitions cover the Austro-Prussian War, the First World War, the First Czechoslovak Republic and the Second World War. The scope thus goes beyond a single account of war and also includes the First Republic.
Particularly specific is the documentation of seven aircraft crashes from the Second World War. Explanatory material draws on archival records, fragments from the crash sites and contemporary photographs. Written sources, recovered objects and images offer different ways to explore the subject. Check the museum’s seasonal opening before visiting.
Festivals Throughout the Year
The Májová pouť takes place every year on the first weekend in May and begins with a Mass at the Church of St John the Baptist. This opening connects the festival with the church; the weekend also provides a specific date to plan a trip around. If you are planning for a particular year, check the event date in advance.
Another seasonal occasion is the Christmas market in the first week of Advent. Bread with lard and a warmed drink are traditionally served there. Its Advent timing clearly distinguishes it from the spring festival, which begins with a Mass.
Memorial Sites and Nature
The memorial to the victims of the First World War in Újezd pod Troskami bears the names of local residents who died in the war; it was restored in 2017. Another memorial, dedicated to the Unknown Soldier, is located by the municipal office. The two sites commemorate different things: one remembers residents by name, while the other is dedicated to an unknown soldier. The cross in Újezd pod Troskami is also designated as a pilgrimage site.
The Na víně natural monument offers a different focus. It protects a south- and east-facing steppe slope on marl, home to rare and protected plant and insect species. This brings a specific habitat into focus alongside architecture and memorial culture. If you plan to visit the slope, check the current access conditions in advance, as access and habitat management may change.
Discover more destinations: Bukovina U Pecky, Valdice, Radim, Horní Nová Ves, Veliš U Jičína, Brdy, Jitschin, Nemyčeves
For the wider travel overview: Okres Jičín.
