Holice V Čechách offers several ways to explore its history: a Baroque church with preserved furnishings, traces of a medieval fortress, and routes that take in architecture, nature and historic events. To find your bearings, it is worth considering the themes of each place and route. This makes it possible to focus on cultural history or choose a route that also includes art and parkland.

Architecture and traces of the town’s history

The stone church Kostel sv. Martina was built in the Baroque style from 1736 to 1739, based on plans by court architect Kilián Ignác Dientzenhofer. The church retains its original bell, Martin, dating from 1499. Its interior also includes a main altar with a painting of Saint Martin, as well as stone and pewter baptismal fonts from the 16th century. The construction period and furnishings thus point to different chapters in the local church’s history.

West of the church is the former Holice fortress site, with remains of a fortress dating from the mid-14th century. Square platforms with clearly visible corner bastions remain at the southwestern and northwestern corners. They are about 13 metres in diameter. Remains of the moat are also visible on the west side. The approximate measurement and the location of the surviving structures give a concrete impression of how the remains are distributed across the site.

The Sokolovna is also architecturally significant and is based on designs and plans by architect Otakar Novotný. The foundation stone was laid in August 1912; the grand opening took place in August 1913 during the Sokol district festival. Today, the building is used exclusively for sports by local schools and clubs. Its construction history and current use are two distinct aspects that are important to consider when assessing the building.

Museum, park and themed routes

The Africké Muzeum Dr. Emila Holuba displays collections and is dedicated to the significant ethnographic work of Dr. Emil Holub. The exhibition focuses primarily on his life, expeditions and work, as well as the life, expeditions and work of his wife, Růžena Holubová. The focus is therefore not just on a single expedition, but also on the couple’s life and work together.

The history of Městský park on Smetanova Street began with an initiative on 26 March 1883. František Holub senior presented a proposal to the citizens’ savings bank’s general assembly at the time; the bank provided 873 gulden for it. The site on the edge of town was then transformed into a picturesque natural area laid out like a park. The Od Holuba k Malichovi route takes in the flora and fauna of the town park alongside architecture, history and contemporary art.

The Od Holuba k Malichovi route is 4.3 kilometres long, takes about 90 minutes and ends near its starting point at the Základní umělecká škola Karla Malicha. The terrain is easy; the route is suitable for visitors of all ages, pedestrians and wheelchair users. In addition to architecture, the town park and contemporary art, it also covers the battles of the May Uprising. This means it brings together several different themes along a single route.

The Po stopách holického povstání route takes a different historical approach. It leads to places connected with the Holice uprising at the end of the Second World War. If you want to focus primarily on the uprising as a historical subject, this route offers a narrower focus. By contrast, Od Holuba k Malichovi covers architecture, nature and art as well as history. Comparing the two helps you choose a route based on your interests without conflating their distinct content.

Another option for sports

Motokrosová trať Michaela Špačka is a 1,955-metre-long natural track with a minimum width of six metres. It offers a clear contrast with the town’s cultural and historical themes and its routes. Training on the track must be arranged by phone. As track conditions may change, it is best to ask about the current situation when making arrangements.

Discover more destinations: Svojšice, Pardubice, Kojice, Přelovice, Poběžovice U Holic, Bezděkov U Choltic, Býšť, Bukovina Nad Labem.

For the overview of the wider area: Pardubice District.