Synkov-Slemeno offers different themed ways to explore during a stay: the memory of the Bohemian Brethren, architectural heritage in Slemeno, and a trail whose information panels cover work in orchards throughout the four seasons. Two historic dates add the railway to the picture. You can focus on local tradition, architecture or an agricultural theme shaped by the seasons.

Memorial site and local tradition

Bratrská borovice in the cadastral area of Slemeno is a memorial site associated with gatherings of the Bohemian Brethren. According to local tradition, Jan Amos Comenius said farewell there before going into exile. The distinction between the memorial site and the story passed down locally gives this theme two dimensions: its connection to the gatherings and the local memory of Comenius.

Today, a fragment of the old pine remains. According to local tradition, the tree is believed to be up to five centuries old. The surviving part of the pine and the traditional estimate of its age thus stand side by side.

Chapel and historic milestones

The Chapel of St Joseph in Slemeno was consecrated in 1885. The 2024 municipal land-use inventory lists it as a building of architectural value. The consecration year and the designation highlight different aspects: the year places the chapel in its historical context, while the designation emphasises its architectural value. For those interested in architectural heritage, a specific date and an assessment of the building complement each other.

The railway stops at Synkov and Slemeno also offer a point of comparison over time. The Synkov railway stop was established in 1919, and the Slemeno railway stop in 1936. In this sequence, Synkov came 17 years before Slemeno. These two dates add the historical establishment of the railway stops to the area’s cultural history.

The Orchard Trail

The Orchard Trail runs from Rychnovská Lhotka through Synkov-Slemeno to Libel and is almost 6 km long. Nine information panels along the route describe work in the orchards throughout the four seasons. Its length and the panels’ subject give the trail both a defined geographical scope and a clear thematic focus.

The focus on the seasons draws attention not only to orchards but also to the work carried out there over the course of the year. This makes the route especially interesting if you would like to explore agriculture as a seasonal subject. The route description gives its course as running from Rychnovská Lhotka through Synkov-Slemeno to Libel, making it possible to place the area within a clearly specified sequence of destinations.

There are several themes to choose from when planning your trip: Bratrská borovice offers a connection to memory and tradition, the chapel to architectural heritage, and the Orchard Trail to a thematically cohesive route. The almost 6 km length and nine information panels give you concrete points of reference for comparing the trail with the cultural and historical attractions and choosing the focus you want for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Voděrady, Rícky V Orlických Horách, Mokré, České Meziříčí, Sněžné, Rokytnice V Orlických Horách, Plasnice, Záměl.

For the overview of the wider area: Okres Rychnov Nad Kněžnou.