Písty: Shifting Dune Sand, History and Village Life

Písty combines a shifting sandy landscape with local history, literary traces and small-scale opportunities for active and relaxing hours. The village is particularly interesting if you do not want to experience nature, culture and local impressions separately, but rather wish to discover different facets of a Czech village.

Dune Sand and Water on the Outskirts

Immediately southwest of Písty lies the Písečný přesyp u Píst area, which covers 3.698 hectares. The dune site is one of the few areas in the Czech Republic where the sandy substrate continues to move noticeably. As a result, the landscape remains dynamic in a special way: not only the shape of the dunes, but also the precise effects of light, wind and vegetation can shape your visit. Písečný přesyp u Píst can be reached by car to within 250 metres, with no access restrictions specified. From the point accessible by car, the remaining distance to the dune site is no more than 250 metres.

Water is also part of the village landscape. The Písťák pond, a former branch of the Elbe, borders Písty, while the Výrovka stream flows along the edge of the village. Písťák is known for large catfish and carp catches. For orientation purposes, the two bodies of water differ in their location: Písťák borders Písty, while the Výrovka runs along the edge of the village.

Church History and Artists in Písty

The former Church of the Holy Spirit in Písty was founded around 1595 and closed in autumn 1786. The chapel in Písty was built in 1868 as a replacement for the former church.

Písty also has a literary and artistic side. The writer Bohumil Hrabal visited Písty and mentioned the village in his works. The writer Adolf Branald visited his friend Emil Klimesch in Písty. The painter Hanuš Bohman often came to Písty and created numerous paintings there. Together, these connections form a cultural picture that reaches beyond individual dates and links the village with personal memories, literature and painting.

Sport, Music and Activities for Younger Children

The multifunctional sports field built in Písty in 2024 is currently used mainly for recreational sports activities. At the sports ground in Písty near Nymburk, TJ Sokol Písty has been organising the “Pístecký country slet” music festival since 2012.

For younger children, there is a playground created in 2023 with play elements intended primarily for the youngest children. Another local stop is the “U Kyselů” restaurant, formerly “U Jeníků”, which offers a refreshment opportunity to many tourists on their way to Sadská’s “Jezero”. This makes it possible to combine landscape, exercise, an activity for small children and a local place to eat when planning your day.

Getting There and Orientation

The municipality of Písty offers a virtual online tour of Písty. This can help you become familiar with the layout of the village before exploring it in person. Písty is connected to the bus network. The village is not located directly on the railway line; however, a railway stop is not far away. Those arriving without a car can take the bus connection into account; the railway does not lead directly into the village. Depending on how you travel and what you wish to focus on, you can therefore choose between exploring the landscape, cultural traces and local leisure activities.

Other Destinations in the Area

If you would like to research other places in addition to Písty, you can find Velenice, Oskořínek, Velenka, Chleby, Loučeň, Milovice, Podmoky and Kostomlaty Nad Labem here.

For the higher-level travel overview: Nymburk District.