The 306-metre-high Baba gives Děčany a clear connection to the landscape; in Solany, a medieval church and the Švestková dráha tell the story of architectural and transport history. The Solanka pear is also connected to local history. If you would like to consider connections to nature and cultural history together when planning your trip, you will find a range of topics here at the municipal level.

Baba and the Landscape

Děčany lies at the foot of the 306-metre-high hill Baba, a wooded summit in the České středohoří above the village. A high, distinctive rock is located on its western slope. From there, the view extends westward to the peaks of Milá, Oblík and Srdov, as well as the surrounding area. The village of Semeč lies within the České středohoří Protected Landscape Area. This means that, alongside the wooded summit, visitors can also use a protected landscape in a specifically named village as a point of reference.

Church and Local History in Solany

The first written mention of Děčany is believed to date to 1226. A later historical period is represented by the Church of St. Martin in Solany, a village of Děčany: it was built at the beginning of the second half of the 14th century. Its presbytery, with a cross vault and a six-rayed vault, dates from this period. The organ was built in 1867 by Prague organ builder Karel Vocelka. The medieval church building and a 19th-century instrument thus represent different periods in the village’s history. The church belongs to the municipality and is used for cultural events, as well as often for weddings. A wayside shrine is another historic feature in Děčany.

Railway History and Places to Visit

The Lovosice–Most line, built between 1897 and 1898, is now operated in Solany by AŽD as the Švestková dráha. The railway takes passengers to the Bohemian Garnet Museum, to Ulrike von Levetzow, beneath Košťálov and Oltářík castles, and into the surrounding countryside. The selection therefore includes cultural destinations as well as castles and landscapes. The U10 service is operated by AŽD Praha. The Ústecký kraj Integrated Transport System fares and conditions of carriage, as well as the One Ticket unified fare, apply on the trains. As fares and operating arrangements may change, check the information for your journey in advance.

The History of the Solanka Pear

The Solanka pear variety has been known in Solany since the mid-19th century and also became known abroad. Solanka pears were still being exported in the 1950s; in the first half of the 20th century, they were considered the most expensive pears. Solanka was known beyond Solany as well; its pears were exported and at times considered the most expensive pears. The story of the pear thus adds a local product history to the topics of architecture and transport.

Discover more destinations: Evaň, Záluží U Roudnice Nad Labem, Polepy, Žalhostice, Mlékojedy, Hlinná, Sulejovice, Štětí

For the broader travel overview: Litoměřice District.