Opolany: Oškobrh, Sánský Canal and Evangelical History

Opolany between Oškobrh and the Sánský Canal

Opolany combines nature, archaeology, church and cemetery history with routes for hikers and cyclists. This creates a destination where different interests can be combined: Oškobrh represents protected landscapes and prehistoric traces, the Sánský Canal historical water management, and the Opolany–Velký Osek educational cycle route an active way to explore the surrounding area.

Oškobrh: Natural Monument and Archaeological Site

The Oškobrh Natural Monument includes the cadastral area of Opolany. It protects the population of the stag beetle (Lucanus cervus) and its habitat, xerothermic steppe grasslands, exposed marl deposits, and the species associated with these sites. The summit area of Oškobrh also contains evidence of a hilltop settlement and a hillfort from several prehistoric periods. The archaeological site includes the location of the former Church of Saints Peter and Paul.

A hike to Oškobrh can begin in Opolany. In the surroundings of several municipalities, the educational cycle route also provides a connection for pedestrians and cyclists.

The Preserved Sánský Canal

The Sánský Canal has survived to this day. It flows through Opolánky and passes through Opolany, Odřepsy, Pátek and Křečkov. It was constructed around 1450 by Jiří z Kunštátu to divert water from the Cidlina to the Poděbrady ponds. Its course extends beyond any single locality, running through Opolánky, Opolany, Odřepsy, Pátek and Křečkov. The diversion of water from the Cidlina to the Poděbrady ponds thus connects river water with the pond landscape.

Cycle Route and Evangelical History

The Opolany–Velký Osek educational cycle route includes information panels and navigation posts. It provides a safe and convenient connection for pedestrians and cyclists, including tourists, in the surroundings of the municipalities of Opolánky, Opolany, Kánín, Sány and Velký Osek. The route connects two major cycle routes via the newly constructed motorway embankment while making use of existing paths. For trip planning, the connection is designed for different modes of transport: it takes pedestrians and cyclists into account while also linking up with existing paths.

The Evangelical history of Opolany is also unusually rich in detail. The Evangelical church was built in 1892–1893 and solemnly dedicated on 8 September 1893 by Superintendent J. E. Szalatnay. The Evangelical Reformed congregation in Opolany was established in 1885. The Evangelical cemetery was laid out in 1899; the uniform design of its gravestones followed the example of the cemetery of the Unity of the Brethren in Herrnhut (Ochranov) in Upper Lusatia. Because of the uniform design of the graves, the cemetery was declared a state-protected cultural monument in 1989. The sequence of the congregation’s establishment, church construction, dedication and cemetery layout spans the years 1885 to 1899. The cemetery’s declaration as a state-protected cultural monument marked another chapter in its history in 1989.

Discover More Places

For further orientation, you can also visit Kostomlátky, Sadská, Stará Lysá, Netřebice, Všechlapy, Dymokury, Záhornice and Lysa Nad Labem.

For the broader travel overview: Nymburk District.