Selmice lies on the right bank of the Elbe. The entire cadastral area of Selmice is part of the Kladrubské Polabí Heritage Zone, designated in 2015. This setting extends beyond individual buildings; the buildings and stud farm connections add specific highlights. The landscape and traces of horse breeding are also defining themes. Two perspectives can help with planning a trip: the cultural landscape along the river and the local cultural heritage. Visitors choosing Selmice for its cultural connections will find a range of landmarks—from the heritage zone and the stable complex to the remains of the former stud farm and the Neo-Gothic church.

Elbe Landscape and Tree-Lined Avenue

The area around Selmice is partly wooded; elsewhere, meadows and fields shape the village. One distinctive landscape feature is the 3.2-kilometre-long tree-lined avenue leading to the gate of Františkov Estate. The estate belongs to Selmice, giving the avenue a specific destination. Its length makes it a landmark in its own right, alongside the individual buildings. The riverside setting, avenue and changing scenery of woodland, meadows and fields offer different perspectives on the area: riverbank, designed landscape and rural surroundings. Visitors who want to understand Selmice through more than its architecture can also explore these landscape connections.

Traces of the Stud Farm’s History

The Františkov stable complex was built between 1828 and 1831 to a design by Mauritz Jahn. This construction period places the stud farm’s history within a specific historical era. Starý kštít in Selmice is a remnant of the former stud farm. The comparison offers two distinct perspectives: the stable complex is associated with its design and construction, while Starý kštít is linked to the former stud farm. Together, they bring a dated building history and a trace of the former stud farm into view.

Horse Breeding as Local History

A brochure published by the National Stud in 2022 describes the stables in the Františkov area as being used to raise young horses, including yearlings and two- and three-year-old horses. A 2025 report by the National Stud also describes how the National Horse Breeding Institute traditionally brought foals along Selmická Aleje to the Františkov rearing station in Selmice. The stables are used to raise young horses, while Selmická Aleje is associated with the traditional transport of foals described in the report.

Church and Architecture

The Church of St. Lawrence in Selmice is an architecturally significant Neo-Gothic building. Neo-Gothic refers to architecture that revives Gothic forms; the term identifies the church by its style. This sets it apart in the description from the Františkov stable complex, for which the design and construction period are given. The church adds a distinct architectural perspective to the history of the stud farm. This makes it easy to choose according to your interests: here, the focus is church architecture; there, the history of horse breeding. The heritage zone and rural surroundings add the landscape setting to both perspectives.

Discover more destinations: Turkovice, Svinčany, Čeperka, Libišany, Kostěnice, Stéblová, Trnávka, Živanice

For the main travel overview: Pardubice District.