Skalice – History, Culture and Marked Trails

Skalice lies in a valley on both banks of the Skalický potok stream. The town combines a documented history, archaeological traces, cultural monuments and marked trails. This gives Skalice a range of possibilities for a stay: you can explore the development of the town, discover historical details or include cycling and hiking trails in your plans.

Skalice and its early historical traces

The first written mention of Skalice dates from 1143. At that time, Bishop Jan of Lochenice donated the district known as Skalice to the Premonstratensian Strahov Monastery in Prague. Archaeological finds also show that the area was already inhabited in the Early Hillfort Period. These two indications connect the documented history of the town with a significantly older settlement history.

An important archaeological site is Pardědub. It lies on a hill above the left bank of the Elbe. A remnant of the prehistoric fortification, consisting of a ditch and rampart preserved as a terrain ridge, remains in the northeastern part. The site is located in the municipality of Skalice, in the cadastral areas of Skalice u Smiřic and Skalička nad Labem, and is classified as a hilltop settlement and fortification. Anyone interested in both landscape and history will find a place here where the terrain is directly connected with the past.

Historical landmarks in the town and municipality

A fortress was built in Skalice. Its inhabitants had to guard the route from Hradec via Skalice to Smiřice, as well as a ford across the Elbe crossed by this route. The historic village square in the western part of Skalice is part of the local historical and cultural heritage and complements these traditional connections with a visible area of the town.

Among the distinctive details in the town is the stone crucifix in front of House No. 13. A statue of the Virgin Mary stands in a niche, and the crucifix also has an enclosure. A bell tower with a concrete construction is located next to it. In the municipality of Skalice, the Church of St. Wenceslas precinct in Číbuz, with its surrounding wall, and the farmstead No. 24 in Skalička are also registered as cultural monuments.

There is also a special historical landmark on the road from Skalice to Smiřice. In the field near Dolní bahna stands an elongated stone with two engraved crosses. Beneath them are two broad axes positioned with their blades facing each other; another inscription is illegible. This detail makes the road itself a setting for local tradition.

Cycling, hiking and a local event

For cyclists, marked cycle route No. 4283 runs from Smržov via Skalice to Lochenice. Another way to travel is possible along the Elbe, where a marked red Way of St. James hiking route runs.

The Pivní slavnosti Skalice beer festival is part of the municipality's annual cultural calendar. If you would like to include other places in your research, you can also find Nové Město Nad Cidlinou, Vrchovnice, Petrovice U Nového Bydzova, Smidary, Roudnice, Boharyně, Běleč Nad Orlicí and Osice.

For the broader travel overview: Hradec Králové District.