Máslojedy – Traces of the History of 1866

Máslojedy draws attention to a local history that becomes tangible through monuments, educational trails and a military cemetery. The historical connection with 1866 is particularly defining: in the village and along the paths, you will encounter both structural traces and places of remembrance. If you are looking for a stay with a clear cultural and historical focus, you will find several distinct points of interest here rather than just a single monument.

A Place with a Long History

Máslojedy is part of the “Microregion of Municipalities in the 1866 Heritage Zone”. However, its history goes back further: the first written mention dates from 1241; at that time, the village belonged to the Prussian Knights of the Cross. More than six centuries of local history therefore lie between the mention in 1241 and the events of 1866. The Špriňarův statek farmstead on the western edge of Máslojedy provides a particularly vivid illustration of the events of 1866. Traces of cannonballs from the battle of 3 July 1866 have been preserved on both gables of the farmstead. During the battle, the headquarters of the Austrian 4th Army Corps were located in the field between the Špriňarův statek farmstead and Svíb Forest. Visible traces on buildings and a historically significant landscape location therefore stand side by side here.

Walking Routes Through History

The routes differ in their course and focus. Marked hiking route 115 leads from Všestary railway station via Svíb and Máslojedy to Hořiněves railway station. The Josefov–Smiřice–Chlum 1866 educational trail runs through Josefov, Smiřice, Hořiněves, Máslojedy and Chlum. Another educational trail, Les Svíb, takes visitors into Svíb Forest and the surroundings of the municipalities of Čistěves and Máslojedy. The bloodiest part of the Prussian-Austrian War took place there in 1866. Those wishing to distinguish between a marked hiking route and thematic educational trails will find different ways of exploring the history of the area.

Monuments and Places of Remembrance

On the eastern side of Svíb stands the IR 47 + FJB 20 monument, about 100 metres below the access road. The monument is designed as a limestone pyramid on a pedestal and bears inscriptions in Czech and German. The limestone pyramid shape and the inscriptions in two languages combine design and remembrance at the same location. The material, form and bilingual inscriptions give the site a clearly recognisable historical character. Máslojedy Military Cemetery is located in the north-western part of the municipality on the road towards Hořiněves. The two places of remembrance are in different locations: the cemetery is in the north-western part of the municipality, while the monument is on the eastern side of Svíb. An information board about the Josefov–Smiřice–Chlum 1866 educational trail is located at the military cemetery.

Further Places for Research

For further research into places in the Czech Republic, you can also visit Chudeřice, Lejšovka, Sendražice, Humburky, Urbanice, Smržov U Smiřic, Osice and Písek.

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