A protected farmstead dating from the first half of the 19th century and a wayside shrine from 1583 give Želenice a tangible historical character. At the same time, the Bílina and steppe communities are among the area’s distinctive landscape features. If you are looking for a holiday apartment, you can decide whether your stay should focus on local history, the natural environment or both.
Local History and Protected Buildings
The church in Želenice was first mentioned in 1352 under the name Zelenycz. Construction work on a new church in Želenice took place in 1847–1848. Nearly five centuries passed between its first mention and the construction of the new church.
The protected Želenice No. 43 farmstead dates from the first half of the 19th century and forms part of the village square’s historic buildings. It consists of two residential buildings and two farm buildings. The former Želenice rectory, house number 27, is now listed as a state-protected monument.
Another historical feature is a four-sided wayside shrine with niches, one of which contains a crucifix. It is dated to 1583. Želenický vrch is also associated with a historical event: the Battle of 1438 took place at its foot.
A phonolite quarry—known as znělec in Czech—has been in operation on the northern slope of Želenický vrch since the last century. Thus, a historical landmark and a long history of stone quarrying are found on the same hill.
The Bílina, Steppe and Regional Landscape Setting
The Bílina is the defining watercourse in the administrative area of Želenice. Along the river, a relatively extensive floodplain of considerable biological importance stretches from České Zlatníky to its confluence with the Liběšický potok. These named endpoints help locate the landscape area.
The Želenice area lies in one of the warmest and driest regions of the Czech Republic; this landscape setting has particularly shaped the development of steppe communities.
In the Most District, the landscape of the Želenice area forms part of the Bořeň section of the Měrunická vrchovina. At 539 metres, Bořeň is the highest peak in this section.
Planning Hiking Routes and Your Journey
Želenice is designated as a starting point for signposted hiking trails. If you would like to include walking routes in your stay, this designated starting point offers a practical reference for planning, alongside the village’s historic buildings and landscape features.
Rail services on routes 130 and 131 stop at Želenice station. Check the timetable before travelling if you are planning to go by train. This lets you plan your rail journey separately from the local themes of your trip.
Discover more destinations: Klíny, Horní Jiřetín, Brandov, Český Jiřetín, Mariánské Radčice, Volevčice, Luzice U Mostu, Lišnice.
View the full travel guide: Most District.
