Malé Horky

Malé Horky is a destination for anyone who wants to get to know a place through its history. The village’s close connection with Malkov Castle is particularly significant: its history and the development of Malé Horky are closely intertwined. This creates a clear historical theme that runs through the landscape, the history of the estate, and individual traces in the village.

Malkov Castle above the Strenický stream

Malkov Castle stands on a prominent spur of land above the Strenický stream. This location alone describes the distinctive character of the site more precisely than merely listing it among historical destinations. The castle also has a neck ditch that bounds the site. Malkov survives as the terrain remains of a castle. For visitors interested in castles and the forms of medieval fortifications, its appeal lies in the combination of the shape of the terrain, the surviving remains, and the history passed down through the generations.

A village history shaped by changing ownership

The history of Malkov and Malé Horky can also be traced through earlier ownership arrangements. In 1548, Malkov and the Malé Horky farm passed to Jan after the division of the estate. The owners of Malkov, who called themselves the lords of Malé Horky, changed frequently thereafter. This succession helps explain why the castle and the village do not appear separately from one another in local tradition.

A later reference also shows how the site changed: in 1574, Malkov Castle was described as abandoned. The site’s significance today therefore lies not in any claim of the castle’s continued use, but in the surviving terrain remains and the historical connection between Malkov and Malé Horky. Those interested in past systems of rule during their stay will find a clearly defined subject here rather than an arbitrary collection of sights.

Historic roads and a preserved house

The former transport connection is also part of the site’s history. A former country road led from Nymburk through the Strenický Valley, via Malé Horky, Pětikozly, and Katusice to Bezděz, and onward across the border to Žitava. This description refers to a former country road and is not intended as a statement about a current route. It nevertheless places Malé Horky along a historic route that connected several places and the border.

A former coaching inn still stands in the village and is now used as a house. It is House No. 1 belonging to Mr. Čamler. Thus, alongside its castle tradition, Malé Horky preserves a tangible example of how a building lost its former function and is used differently today.

More destinations for your research

If you would like to compare other destinations in the same search area in addition to Malé Horky, you can also find ČachoviceČachovice, KnezmostKnezmost, BrodceBrodce, TuřiceTuřice, PlazyPlazy, HrušovHrušov, Horní BukovinaHorní Bukovina, and KovanecKovanec.

To the higher-level travel overview: Mladá Boleslav District.