The Church of Saint Pius V and its connection to Josef Emanuel Hibsch offer two specific ways to explore Homole u Panny: sacred architectural history and regional geology. There are also two routes that pass through the village and differ in their itineraries. If you would like to choose your destination based on your interests, you can weigh up the church building, Hibsch’s geological work and a route explicitly described as a cycling loop.
Church above the village square
The Church of Saint Pius V is a Neoclassical church on a rocky rise above the village square. It defines the western edge of the village. The path to the church is relatively steep; several sets of steps ease the climb but do not eliminate it. If you include the church in your plans, the combination of its elevated location and stepped path is a practical consideration. The building is a prominent feature of the village, while the approach involves a climb.
The church’s construction history
The church’s construction history can also be understood through several dates. According to the literature, the church was built in 1787. A chronogram gives the date as 1788; the cornerstone was laid in 1787. For an accurate chronology, consider what each date refers to: 1787 is given in the literature as the year of construction and is also the year the cornerstone was laid, while 1788 appears in the chronogram. A chapel built on the same site by the Dominican friars of Litoměřice in 1724 previously stood there. The history of the Neoclassical church therefore reaches back to an earlier religious building on the same site.
Homole u Panny, Hibsch and the České středohoří
Homole u Panny lies in the České středohoří Protected Landscape Area. Josef Emanuel Hibsch (1852–1941) was born in the village and geologically mapped the České středohoří. Two different scales thus meet in the village’s history: Homole u Panny is located within a protected landscape area, while Hibsch’s geological work focused on the České středohoří region. For travellers interested in geology and the history of a place, Hibsch’s origins are connected with his work in the region.
A mineralogical museum was established in Homole u Panny in Hibsch’s honour. This dedication adds a distinct form of remembrance to the biographical connection and geological mapping. His birthplace, professional work and the museum dedicated to him offer different points of interest if you are interested in Hibsch and regional geology. Together with its protected landscape designation, the village can be understood both through an individual life story and through the wider landscape.
Two routes, two different itineraries
Stage IV of the Jubilee Trail runs from Buková hora via Zubrnice and Homole u Panny to Sedlo and Litýš. Homole u Panny lies on the route between these places: the stage begins at Buková hora, passes through Zubrnice and the village, and then continues via Sedlo and Litýš. The sequence of places gives you specific reference points to consider when planning this stage of your trip.
Cycling Route 3066 is 58 kilometres long and runs from Ústí nad Labem via Velké Březno, Byňov, Homole u Panny, Třebušín, Ploskovice, Žitenice, Litoměřice, Píšťany, Libochovany, Církvice and Sebuzín, before returning to Ústí nad Labem. Here, the focus is on the total distance, its designation as a cycling loop and its return to the starting point. Two specific differences are therefore useful when comparing it with Stage IV: Route 3066 is described as a 58-kilometre loop, while Stage IV is described by its sequence of places from Buková hora to Litýš. You can use the respective itineraries and the places mentioned as the basis for your choice.
Discover more destinations: Tisá, Malé Březno Nad Labem, Řehlovice, Trmice, Telnice, Petrovice u Chabařovic, Habrovany, Libouchec
For the broader travel overview: Ústí nad Labem District.
