Bezděkov Nad Metují brings together several specific themes for planning your trip: the Baroque Church of St. Procopius, the Way of St. James, the Haltýře and a protected pedunculate oak. If you would like to combine culture, pilgrimage and details of nature, you can give each topic a different level of emphasis. Several questions come into play when planning: Which aspects of the building’s history interest you, which section would you like to walk, and which visit needs to be arranged in advance?
Church of St. Procopius: Building History and Bell
The Baroque Church of St. Procopius was built between 1724 and 1727 at the initiative of Abbot Otmar Zinke of Broumov, to a design by Kilián Ignác Dientzenhofer. It is part of the so-called Broumov group of churches and was declared a national cultural monument in 2022. The construction period and its later protected status refer to two different historical periods: its creation in the 18th century and its recognition in 2022. The architect’s name and the church’s membership in the group add the design attribution and regional context to this timeline.
The bell of St. Procopius also has its own story: it was acquired and consecrated in 1999 through a public collection, and it still rings from the church tower today. The historic construction period and an element of religious culture that continues to ring thus stand side by side.
Way of St. James: Distant Destination and Your Own Route Section
The Wayside Stone of St. James indicates 3,321 km to Santiago de Compostela. You can walk any section of the Way of St. James that you choose; along the routes, you can collect St. James stamps for the pilgrim passport, the Credencial. The stone draws attention to the distant destination, while choosing your own section lets you decide on a personal stage of the journey. These two perspectives do not have to coincide: you can focus on the pilgrimage connection through the destination, or put a section of your own choosing first.
Haltýře Along the Hiking Trail
For hikers, the red-marked trail from Police nad Metují to Hronov is a specific point of reference: it passes by the Haltýře. The Haltýře, also called Džbery, date from 1862 and were restored to their present form in 2000. The two dates mark different stages: the origin of the Haltýře and the later restoration of their present form. Check the current trail conditions before setting out.
Pedunculate Oak and Exhibition
The Bezděkovský Oak is a protected pedunculate oak. Its trunk circumference is 450 cm and its height is 24 m; its age is estimated at around 172 years. The tree has been protected since 1995. Its measurements and estimated age may change slightly over time. Its circumference, height and estimated age offer different ways to assess the tree.
An exhibition of historic machinery and objects is housed in part of the agricultural building. Visits can be arranged by appointment. If you plan to include the exhibition in your itinerary, make arrangements before your visit. It adds historic machinery and objects to the topics associated with the village.
Discover more destinations: Jaroměř, Červená Hora, Křinice, Hlavňov, Kramolna, Zábrodí, Borová U Náchoda, Červený Kostelec
For the broader travel overview: Okres Náchod.
