Velký Osek – Mineral Spring, Church and Libický luh

Velký Osek is a destination for travelers who want to combine nature trails, local history and a specific place to visit. The Osečka mineral spring, the Catholic church and the Libický luh nature reserve offer different focal points: a park in the village, a historic church site and signposted paths through a protected landscape. If you would like to explore nature and culture side by side during one stay, Velký Osek offers clearly distinct themes for this. A visit to the spring takes you into the village, while the signposted paths open up the natural area; the church complements these two destinations with its architectural and furnishing history.

Mineral Spring and Local History

The Osečka mineral spring was discovered in 1935 and completely renovated in 2025–2026. It is located in a small park on Husovo náměstí and is freely accessible. This gives it a clear connection to the village as you explore Velký Osek. At Osečka, an event from the village’s history and a renovated facility thus come together. The park on Husovo náměstí also makes the spring easy to identify as a destination in its own right within the village.

The Catholic church complements this historical focus. Its construction was made possible and begun in 1934; it was ceremonially consecrated on June 20. In front of the church stands the Calvary group made of red sandstone. The church’s interior furnishings were transferred from a deconsecrated church in Bohnice. For visitors interested in culture, this means that architectural history, the sculptural group and the history of the furnishings are distinct aspects of the same church site. The red sandstone and the furnishings transferred from elsewhere each provide their own distinctive accents.

Libický luh and Signposted Paths

The Libický luh National Nature Reserve was designated in the Kolín District with effect from May 1, 1985, and in the Nymburk District with effect from June 1, 1985. The paths therefore combine orientation along signposted routes with a connection to an explicitly designated national nature reserve.

From Velký Osek railway station, a yellow-marked hiking trail follows a paved path to the red-marked Libice nad Cidlinou–Kolín hiking trail. Both trails run through Libický luh or through part of the reserve. The different markings help you understand the route as a connection of several trail sections: yellow leads initially from the railway station, while red designates the Libice nad Cidlinou–Kolín connection. The signposted paths through Libický luh can be cycled. This means that, depending on your preferred day of travel, you can choose between a hike and a bicycle tour through this natural area without conflating the two options.

Velký Osek as a Starting Point for Train and Bicycle Trips

Velký Osek has a České dráhy railway station on the Praha–Kolín–Hradec Králové line. In addition, the bicycle tour through Libický luh and Veltrubský luh can be combined with a train journey. If you choose your accommodation according to your planned activities, you can therefore consider whether Velký Osek suits a stay in which train travel and cycling are part of the same excursion plan. The rail connection is of interest for planning in which arrival and getting around the area are considered separately: the station is on the line, while the bicycle tour through the two floodplains can be combined with a train journey.

Further Places to Research

If you would like to include additional destinations alongside Velký Osek in your selection, you can also find Malotice, Skvrňov, Polní Chrčice, Zásmuky, Vrátkov, Týnec Nad Labem, Dobřichov and Horní Kruty.

For the higher-level travel overview: Kolín District.