Vršce

Vršce between village history and landscape

Vršce combines an unusual number of historical traces with a landscape that can be explored by bicycle and while discovering the Český ráj further. The church site, routes through the village and historical traces in the surrounding area provide different starting points for exploration. At the southern edge, the church and bell tower are located at the same site; the cycle paths lead through the village, while natural and settlement traces broaden the view of the surrounding area. In the village stand the Church of St. Lawrence and a historic wooden bell tower, while designated cycling routes pass through Vršce. If you are looking for accommodation, you can therefore choose between a stay focused on culture, a cycling trip or a nature-oriented exploration of the surrounding area.

The Church of St. Lawrence and the Bell Tower

The Church of St. Lawrence stands at the southern edge of Vršce. Its present appearance dates back to a major reconstruction in 1726, which followed an earlier Gothic building documented from the mid-14th century. The church is listed as a cultural monument and gives the southern edge of the village a clear historical connection.

The historic wooden bell tower of Vršce is located directly beside the church. It dates from 1515 and is considered one of the oldest timber-framed bell towers in the Český ráj. The bell tower was therefore built considerably earlier than the major reconstruction of the church; nevertheless, both structures stand at the same site. Historically, the bell tower announced church services as well as dangers and fires to the neighbouring communities in the four cardinal directions. Its historical role thus extended beyond the church site to the neighbouring communities.

Cycling through Vršce and the Surrounding Area

Cycle route 4288 follows its designated route through Vršce and is considered a southern connection between the Jičínsko and Hradec Králové regions. In addition, the 49 km Jičínský okruh cycling circuit passes through the village.

The reconstructed surfaced farm road HCS 5 connects Vršce directly with Běchary.

Natural Area and Further Historical Traces

The Češovské lesy Natura 2000 site covers Vršce and an area of 739.9 hectares. The 739.9 hectares refer to Češovské lesy as a whole, while Hliňák is located in Vršce as a recreational area. The Hliňák recreational area was also established in Vršce.

The past reaches back even further. The western rampart of the fortified settlement site of Češovské valy lies in the cadastral territory of Vršce. The area south of Vršce and the brickworks there were already inhabited in the 7th to 9th centuries. The rampart and the southern settlement area are therefore located on different sides of the village. The early settlement south of Vršce predates the ecclesiastical building phases.

More Places to Explore

For further travel planning, you can also visit Svatojanský Újezd, Ohaveč, Ostroměř, Třtěnice, Drevenice, Sukorady, Mladejov V Cechach and Nemyčeves .

For the overarching travel overview: Okres Jičín.