Libice Nad Cidlinou: Hillfort, River Landscape and History

Libice nad Cidlinou combines medieval history with a distinctive river landscape. The Cidlina flows through the town and joins the Elbe near Libice nad Cidlinou. This gives your travel planning two particular focal points: the traces of the Slavník hillfort and the natural environment of Libický luh.

Discovering the Slavník hillfort

The Slavník hillfort was established at the turn of the 8th and 9th centuries. In the second half of the 10th century, it became the centre of a principality ruled by the Slavníkovci. The hillfort included a mint, a stone church and a princely palace. Today, the archaeological site displays the foundations of a church, a palace and a gate tower. Information panels explain the history of Libice.

The acropolis of the Libice nad Cidlinou hillfort is now designated a national cultural monument. The Pamětní síň slavníkovské Libice presents the history of the region from the beginnings of Slavic settlement in the 6th century to the downfall of the hillfort in the 12th century. It also covers the medieval and modern history of Libice nad Cidlinou. The Památník pod hradištěm complements this historical perspective with several mosaic panels showing selected finds and summarising the history of the hillfort in several languages.

Churches and Local History

The churches are also part of the town’s historical character. The Protestant Church in Libice nad Cidlinou was completed at the end of 1895 and ceremonially opened in May 1896. As a Neo-Renaissance church, it still serves its original purpose and is one of the defining landmarks of Libice nad Cidlinou. The grounds of the Church of St Adalbert are located on the southern edge of the town. The site includes a cemetery enclosed by a wall and a Renaissance entrance tower. On the village square in front of the municipal office, the Jan Hus monument also commemorates Jan Hus.

Libický luh between the Elbe and Cidlina

Libický luh lies at the confluence of the Elbe and Cidlina between Libice nad Cidlinou and Velký Osek and is designated a national nature reserve. The reserve protects alluvial forests, floodplain meadows, wetlands, and habitats of rare and endangered plant and animal species. Its characteristic habitats include old channels of the Elbe, oxbow lakes and meadows created through silting. Kingfishers occur around the Bačovka and the oxbow lakes.

Educational Trail and Cycle Route

The Naučná stezka Libice educational trail runs from the confluence of the Labe and Cidlina via the hillfort and Libice nad Cidlinou to the road bridge over the Cidlina. One station is dedicated to the flora and fauna of the alluvial forest. In this way, the educational trail connects the town’s historical themes with its characteristic landscape areas. The CKH12 “Za Slavníkovci” cycle route offers a different perspective. It leads to Libice nad Cidlinou, is mostly flat and runs through alluvial forests along the Labe.

If you are looking for accommodation, you can choose Libice nad Cidlinou as a location reference for further planning once you wish to combine historical discoveries with a river landscape. The Kolín–Prague railway line runs through Libice nad Cidlinou and is also part of the documented structure of the town.

More Places for Your Research

If you would like to extend your search to other places at the same level, you can find Lysa Nad Labem, Činěves, Zbožíčko, Opolany, Mcely, Chotesice, Černíky and Kamenné Zboží here.

For the higher-level travel overview: Nymburk District.