Blešno: Orlice Landscape, Cycling and Culture

Several ways to get to know Blešno come together here: the wetlands along the Orlice, a cycling tour through the village, a hiking route through Blešno, and distinctive traces of history. The chapel, war memorial and archaeological finds span a period from prehistoric settlement to a cultural monument protected since 2015. Blešno thus offers points of interest for nature, activity and culture.

Landscape along the Orlice

The landscape on both banks of the Orlice near Blešno is part of the Orlice Nature Park. In the river system of the Tichá, Divoká and Spojená Orlice, the nature park protects significant landscape, natural and aesthetic values. The wetlands on the left bank of the river lie directly by Blešno. They include remnants of old river channels and adjacent species-rich meadows.

In the wider region around Blešno, the Orlice protected area safeguards alluvial forests, willow thickets, river reeds, oxbow lakes, pools and species-rich meadows, including the Spojená Orlice and its adjacent floodplain. Those interested in the landscape will find both a specific local feature on the left bank and a broader theme in the regional river and floodplain area.

Cycling and hiking around Blešno

The “Pojedeme spolu do Betléma” cycling tour runs through Blešno between Hradec Králové and Třebechovice pod Orebem. It is 14 kilometres long, rated easy and suitable for trekking bikes. These details make the tour a specific option if you are looking for a designated route with a clearly stated length and difficulty level.

The “Půjdem spolu do Betléma” hiking route also passes through Blešno: it runs from Hradec Králové via the Orlice and Svinary to Blešno, then continues via Krňovice to Třebechovice pod Orebem. Comparing the two routes reveals a practical difference: the cycling tour has a stated length, difficulty level and suitable type of bike; the hiking route can be understood from its sequence of places. Both include Blešno on a route between Hradec Králové and Třebechovice pod Orebem.

Chapel and war memorial

The Chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a brick pseudo-Romanesque chapel dating from 1913. It was built at the expense of V. and M. Bartoš, a married couple from Blešno. Since 31 December 2015, it has been protected as a cultural monument. Its construction date and later heritage protection mark two distinct milestones in its history.

Blešno’s war memorial stands beneath a centuries-old lime tree near the municipal office. Sculptor V. Škoda created it in 1923 to commemorate ten victims of the First World War. After the end of the Second World War, the names of three more victims were added. The lime tree, the nearby location by the municipal office and the addition of the names are all specific features of this monument.

Traces of early settlement and offerings from Ranč B

Archaeological finds point to settlement in the Blešno area in prehistoric times. These include a pile-dwelling structure of the Bell Beaker culture near the Hodyc farmstead, house number 53. A copper axe was also found while a trench was being dug. These discoveries extend the timeline of local history well beyond the 1913 chapel and the war memorial.

Ranč B offers rides for experienced riders and walks for complete beginners. The activities are clearly tailored to different experience levels: rides are intended for some, and walks for others. When choosing between these options, your own level of experience is a useful starting point for planning.

Choosing Blešno as a place to stay

The cycling route offers a specified option rated easy; the chapel and memorial provide a different focus, while Ranč B lists two activities for different experience levels. When searching for accommodation, consider which of these aspects of Blešno will matter most during your stay.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Starý Bydžov, Smiřice, Běleč Nad Orlicí, Stračov, Nový Bydžov, Kunčice, Máslojedy, Zachrašťany.

For the broader travel overview: Okres Hradec Králové.