Lišice – Cultural History and Excursions

Lišice combines a distinctive cultural-historical heritage with excursions into a landscape rich in archaeological evidence. The village is the birthplace of the painter Vincenc Beneš, a representative of Czech Cubism, who was born here on 22 January 1883. At the same time, paths lead to the Vyšehrad area and to traces of the former settlement of Tečmín. This allows a stay to be shaped according to individual interests—as an artistic, historical or more extensive exploration.

Vincenc Beneš and Liščí kopec

The memory of Vincenc Beneš is one of Lišice’s concrete cultural connections. A memorial plaque was installed on the former Lišice school building on the occasion of his 110th birthday. It was designed by the academic sculptor Jan Holinka from Pardubice. Those interested in Czech art history will therefore find here not just a name, but also a memorial site directly connected with the village.

A second point of orientation lies on the route from Chlumec nad Cidlinou to Lišice: Liščí kopec is 267 metres high and is located approximately 400 metres before the entrance to Lišice. Its precise elevation and approximate location make it a clear reference point for the journey and for understanding the landscape around the village.

Vyšehrad: Hillfort and Archaeological Traces

From Lišice towards Lišičky, the described access route initially follows a paved road. It then continues via the first surfaced turn-off to Vyšehrad; there, a former forester’s lodge stands alone. Near Vyšehrad is an extensive hillfort site dating from the Late Bronze Age and the Early Iron Age. It is dated approximately to the 7th century BC.

Archaeological investigations at Vyšehrad began in 1956. They uncovered the extensive ground plan of an oppidum, ironworking tools, animal bones, utilitarian pottery and charred beams. These finds give the site a different dimension from that of an ordinary viewpoint: they point to an early fortified settlement structure and to tangible traces of life at that time.

Tečmín and Rybník Hejlovec

Near Lišice lies the former settlement of Tečmín, documented for the period from 1299 to 1454. Tečmín included three ponds and a fortified manor. In 1571, the site was mentioned only as pastureland and as a hillfort with ramparts and a moat. Its historical development therefore cannot be reduced to a single structure, but encompasses the settlement, bodies of water, fortifications and the subsequent change in use.

The route from Vyšehrad reaches Rybník Hejlovec. A burial site mentioned earlier is presumably located nearby. The cautious “presumably” is important for understanding the site: this concerns a historical attribution, not a clearly confirmed present-day attraction. If you would like to connect different periods while travelling, Vyšehrad and Tečmín offer two distinct historical focal points.

Historical Exploration or Sport Fishing

The longer route in the Lišice area is approximately 20 kilometres long. It is therefore intended for planning a more extensive exploration, while the cultural-historical points can also be considered individually. Lišice also offers a clear contrast for travellers with different interests: Farma Lišice lies on the edge of the municipality of Lišice, near the town of Chlumec nad Cidlinou, and is primarily focused on sport fishing.

On the nearly four-hectare fenced grounds of Farma Lišice is a 1.25-hectare former sand-pit pond containing trophy fish. This makes the site an independent excursion option complementing the archaeologically focused destinations. When planning, you can therefore choose between art and local history, a longer route to the hillfort and settlement remains, and a stay at the fishing water.

For comparing other places at the same administrative level, you can also view Klamoš, Mlékosrby, Stračov, Vinary, Zábědov, Račice Nad Trotinou, Lhota Pod Libčany and Osičky.

For the higher-level travel overview: Okres Hradec Králové.