Discover Řitonice: Church, Chronicle and Cycling Routes

Řitonice combines an unusually cohesive cultural and historical ensemble with two documented cycling circuits. At its centre is St. Stephen’s Church, whose architectural history extends from its Gothic origins through Baroque alterations to extensive restoration. Cycling routes also lead through Řitonice and the surrounding countryside. This allows you to get to know the area both through its history and through a range of excursion distances.

St. Stephen’s Church and its ensemble

The originally Gothic St. Stephen’s Church, dating from the second half of the 14th century, was rebuilt in Baroque style in 1669 and 1709. In 1897–1898, it was extensively restored, repainted and given new furnishings. A presbytery with a ribbed vault has survived from the Gothic building.

The church contains recently restored Renaissance tombstones. One of them is also set into the church’s exterior wall. The world-famous singer Ema Destinová supported the church organ in 1912. Benefit concerts are regularly held in St. Stephen’s Church and are well attended by the public; the entrance proceeds are used for restoration work.

The protected ensemble of St. Stephen’s Church in Řitonice comprises the church, the bell tower, two gate pillars, the staircase and the designated plots of land within the site. In the south-west corner of the disused cemetery, a low, wood-clad bell tower stands opposite the church façade. Thus, not only the church building but also the surrounding elements form part of the protected overall ensemble.

Chronicle and visiting

St. Stephen’s Church is registered as an immovable cultural monument in the Central Register of Cultural Monuments of the Czech Republic under registration number 26819/2-1723. It is accessible to tourists and visitors by prior arrangement with a priest or Josef Pavlíček. If you would like to plan a visit to the church, this prior arrangement is therefore one of the specific visiting conditions.

The history of the village is also tangible: the ongoing chronicle of the municipality of Řitonice has been maintained continuously since 1921. The municipality allows access to the first chronicle book, which covers the years 1921–1980. Together with the church, this creates a focal point for visitors that combines architectural history with documented local history.

Explore Řitonice by bicycle

A 27.5 km cycling circuit runs between Domousnice and Skyšice via Řitonice. The route makes the village a specific section of a longer circuit and connects it with two other starting or finishing points. Its length provides a clear basis if you would like to include a manageable cycling circuit in your day’s plans.

A second cycling circuit is 35 km long and begins in Dolní Bousov. It is considered moderately challenging and runs partly along field and forest tracks and partly along lightly trafficked roads. The different route lengths and road conditions help you clearly compare the two documented options when planning an excursion. The longer circuit combines the greater distance with a changing route character. This means you can make your choice based not only on the number of kilometres but also on the nature of the surface and the level of difficulty. Together with the church and the protected ensemble, this creates a combination of cycling and cultural-historical sightseeing. The distance information makes it easier to determine the scope of your excursion in advance.

Other places for your reference

For further searches, you can also explore Plužná, Dobrovice, Nová Telib, Jungbunzlau, Knezmost, Mnichovo Hradiště, Niměřice and Branzez.

For the higher-level travel overview: Okres Mladá Boleslav.