Šestajovice lies on the left bank of the Metuje. Its Slavic village layout, the natural area around Stará Metuje and several historical landmarks give the village a range of themes to explore. Nature and culture can be understood here in specific terms: from the river’s former course to the museum, the history of technology and places of remembrance.
Village Layout and Natural Area
Šestajovice is characterised by a Slavic circular village layout: the plan is horseshoe-shaped, with the fields arranged radially. This settlement form describes not just individual buildings, but the spatial layout of the village as a whole. Until the beginning of the 20th century, Stará Metuje was the main channel of the Metuje.
The Stará Metuje Natural Monument covers 21.9187 hectares and lies partly within the cadastral area of Šestajovice u Jaroměře. It is home to a population of the rare dragonfly species Ophiogomphus cecilia that has been present for many years. Šestajovická stráň comprises an oak-hornbeam forest ecosystem with typical woodland flora and habitats for protected plant species. These include Cypripedium calceolus, Platanthera bifolia, Trollius altissimus and Lilium martagon.
The natural features are distinct: Stará Metuje is notable for a dragonfly population that has been present for many years, while Šestajovická stráň is known for its forest ecosystem and protected plants. Visitors to Šestajovická stráň should stay on the paths and avoid walking through the undergrowth.
Museum, Technology and Local History
Motogalerie Šestajovice z. s. operates a publicly accessible museum of motorcycles and toys in Šestajovice. Housed in a 19th-century granary, the museum displays more than 100 machines and toys from the 20th century. The exhibition may change. The collection and the building thus represent different periods: the machines and toys are from the 20th century, while the granary dates from the 19th century.
The local history of technology also includes a former watermill dating from 1495 and a small hydroelectric power station with a Francis turbine dating from 1904. The dates refer to different landmarks: 1495 to the former mill, and 1904 to the power station’s turbine.
A granite monument was erected in 1928 in memory of the victims of the First World War. A statue of the Virgin Mary stands by house no. 37 in Šestajovice. There are a chapel and a cemetery beyond Šestajovice. These places of remembrance and worship complement the landmarks relating to technology.
Cycling Routes for Planning
Two different route details are relevant for cyclists: cycle route 4034 runs through Šestajovice, while cycle route 4058 connects the village with Veselice and Velká Jesenice. This makes it easy to distinguish between a route through the village and a connection to the two named places. If you plan to use either route, check the current signage before setting off, as it may change.
Discover more destinations: Šonov, Říkov, Chlivce, Zaloňov, Slavětín Nad Metují, Otovice U Broumova, Borová U Náchoda, Červená Hora
For the broader travel overview: Náchod District.
