Doubravčice: Hillfort, Šember Castle and the Šembera Valley

Doubravčice between the Hillfort and the Šembera

Doubravčice offers an unusually rich combination of medieval traces, woodland landscape and marked trails. The hillfort is less than 1 km from the village, in the woods above the Šembera. It is situated on a spur up to 60 m high, protected by steep slopes and accessible only from the south. The hillfort near Doubravčice is considered one of the oldest fortified Slavic settlements in Bohemia.

The Castle, Village History and Archaeological Traces

The visible remains of Šember Castle include masonry remnants of the fortification walls on the eastern side, depressions indicating cellars, remnants of medieval building walls, the area of a half-timbered palace and ramparts. Šember Castle was built on the site of the hillfort in 1357. In Dolánky, in the eastern part of Doubravčice municipality’s cadastral area, an abandoned medieval village lies in a valley through which a small tributary of the Šembera flows. Its archaeological traces also include an abandoned pond with a dam, a large farmstead and several preserved medieval roads.

There are historical points of interest in the village itself as well: the original shape of the upper village square has been preserved, and several well-preserved rural buildings stand there. The first written record of Doubravčice appears in a deed of gift by John of Luxembourg, issued on 25 August 1331 in Tuhošť (Domažlice). At the highest point of the village, near the water tower at the junction of Pod Vodárnou and Nad Lomem streets, there is a broad view of the surrounding area.

Educational Trails, Hiking Trails and Cycle Routes

The “Údolím Šembery” educational trail, opened on 10 September 2011, is particularly suitable for active exploration. It is approximately 8.5 km long, is considered easy to moderately difficult, and is recommended for families with children. Twelve information panels, interactive elements and questions for children and adults make the trail an engaging and varied route. Yellow and green hiking trails run through Doubravčice; below the village, in the Šembera Valley, yellow, green and red trails intersect. A red hiking trail also runs along the Šembera corridor and is supplemented below Tuchoraz by the “Zahrady” educational trail. Doubravčice is also part of a system of marked cycle routes.

Field Paths, Sports and Refreshments

The restored “U hruštičky” field path near Doubravčice is planted with cherry and rowan trees and also includes a pear tree. At the end of the village towards Mukařov lies the restored “Osičiny (Jabloň)” field path, renovated in 2013 and lined with fruit trees and shrubs. The Šembera is navigable almost all year round when the water level is somewhat higher, although conditions are better when the ponds are being drained; because the riverbed is overgrown in places and trees have to be carried around, the journey is slow. For a break, the Doubravčická hospoda has 60 seats, a garden with a children’s playground, hot meals and a daily menu. The multifunctional play and sports area offers basketball, volleyball, nohejbal and floorball, as well as fitness equipment for adults.

Further entries for orientation: Svojšice, Libenice, Český Brod, Uhlířská Lhota, Tatce, Dobřichov, Vrátkov and Poříčany.

To the broader travel overview: Kolín District.