Mžany: History, Chapel and Třešňovka

Mžany combines a long local history with a rural setting and numerous reminders of the events of 1866. Those looking for a place in the Czech Republic with historical traces, distinctive landscape features and its own local character will find a range of themes to include in their travel plans. Mžany was first mentioned in 1404. The history of the village therefore reaches significantly further back than the military events that also shaped its surroundings.

Chapel, spring and old trees

A prominent landmark in the village is the free-standing, brick-built Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes. It stands at a crossroads and is surrounded by mature trees. Its surroundings include a spring known as the “Miraculous Well.” It provides water even during periods of severe drought. The protected linden trees surrounding the chapel are also noteworthy. For a trip with several generations, this site offers a peaceful opportunity to explore the religious and natural aspects of Mžany without limiting the visit to a single theme.

The Třešňovka above Mžany

The landscape around Mžany includes the orchard avenue historically known as Třešňovka. Its restoration was completed on 24 October 2015. Třešňovka runs above Mžany along a side road lined primarily with cherry trees. This gives the surroundings a distinct landscape character that differs from the historical memorial sites in the village.

Memorial sites commemorating the War of 1866

Mžany, together with the associated settlements of Stračovská Lhota and Dub, lies in the landscape where the Prussian-Austrian War of 1866 reached its climax. The first artillery salvoes of the 1866 battle were fired from Dubský hájek between Dub and Stračovská Lhota. Several sites in Mžany itself commemorate this history. A memorial to the victims of the War of 1866 stands in the southwest of the settlement. To the east is the grave of the Prussian soldier Michalaz. There is also a large memorial in the center commemorating the victims of both World Wars.

These geographically distinct memorials offer several perspectives on the local history. When planning your trip, you can focus on the history of 1866 or combine the military memorials with the older local history, the chapel and the landscape. For families in particular, it can be interesting to explore historical topics not only in the abstract but also by relating them to specific names, places and monuments in the surrounding area. This leaves room for your own priorities and for a different pace during your stay.

Brewery and rural character

The local economy also reflects the distinctive character of the village. Pivovar Lindr Mžany produces all its beers on site, using Czech malt, Saaz hops and selected brewing yeast. The brewery was established with the aim of reviving and preserving rural traditions of life. The extensive reconstruction of the dilapidated building led to the completion of the present-day operation in 2014. This aspect complements the historical monuments with an example of how regional building traditions and rural life are being preserved.

Which accommodation suits your stay?

If you are primarily interested in memorial sites and local history, your accommodation in Mžany should serve as a base for a trip covering several historical themes. If you are more interested in the landscape and local features, you can include Třešňovka, the chapel and the history of the brewery in your plans.

For further orientation, you can also explore the following places from the same higher-level selection: Zábědov, Nepolisy, Lužec Nad Cidlinou, Měník, Hvozdnice, Radostov, Kobylice and Syrovátka.

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