Valdice combines a distinctive monastic history with the Zlatá stezka Českého ráje: two versions of this route pass through the town. This gives you two different focal points for planning your trip: a cultural and historical visit, and a stretch of the route. At the same time, the former Carthusian monastery has a clear limit for visitors: it is still used as a prison and cannot be visited inside. When visiting Valdice, you can therefore combine the monastery’s history with the buildings and monuments that shape the town beyond the monastery’s interior.

The Monastery and the Town’s History

The founding of Valdice is associated with 10 August 1627. On that day, Albrecht von Valdštejn founded the Carthusian monastery of St Bruno. The monastery was completed in 1632, and the monastery church followed in 1668. These three dates mark a clear sequence: the founding, completion of the complex, and completion of the church. The former Carthusian monastery is a significant early Baroque architectural complex associated with the architects A. Spezza and J. Marini. The dates provide a concrete timeline for the monastery’s history, while the fact that the interior cannot be visited remains important when planning a visit.

The Church and Monuments

The Church of St Joseph reveals another aspect of the town’s architectural heritage. It stands in the centre of Valdice, on the village square beside the main road. Its ground plan is rectangular, and the recessed choir has a segmental end. The clearly recessed four-sided tower rises to the level of the roof, with its bell chamber. This description distinguishes three features: the shape of the ground plan; the choir’s position and ending; and the tower’s recess and height. These details give architecture enthusiasts specific features to look for when viewing the church.

The centre is also home to a Baroque statue of St John of Nepomuk, dating from 1696, opposite the municipal office. It was restored from 1988 to 1992, so the restoration period should be distinguished from the statue’s date. The monument to political prisoners and victims of the communist regime was unveiled in front of the prison gate. The monument in front of the prison is freely accessible to the public. Check the local situation before your visit in case security arrangements have changed.

Two Versions of the Zlatá stezka

The 26.5-kilometre Zlatá stezka Českého ráje route runs from Kozákov to Jičín via Železnice and Valdice. An alternative 36-kilometre route also runs via Železnice and Valdice to Jičín. The total lengths differ by 9.5 kilometres, providing a concrete point of comparison when choosing a version for your trip. For the shorter route, Kozákov is named as the starting point and Jičín as the destination, with Valdice along the way. In both versions, the town is part of the described route.

Connection Towards Železnice

For the Valdice–Železnice route, the project description, updated on 1 October 2024, proposed a shared, publicly lit path for pedestrians and cyclists. It was intended to divert non-motorised traffic from a busy road onto this infrastructure. The project therefore describes both a specific connection and its purpose. If this planned connection matters to your travel plans, check the latest project status in advance.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Soberaz, Tetín U Jičína, Kovač, Butoves, Slatiny, Jitschin, Mlázovice, Nevratice.

Go to the main travel overview: Okres Jičín.