Discover Bezděkov Nad Metují

Bezděkov Nad Metují is a destination for travelers who want to combine cultural history with tangible experiences along the way. The focal point is the Baroque Church of Saint Procopius. It belongs to the so-called Broumov group of churches and was declared a national cultural monument in 2022. It was built between 1724 and 1727 on the initiative of Broumov Abbot Otmar Zinke and designed according to a plan by Kilián Ignác Dientzenhofer. These three key facts alone make clear how closely the town is connected with the region’s Baroque sacred architecture.

The church’s history also includes its bell. The Bell of Saint Procopius was acquired and consecrated in 1999 through a public collection. To this day, it rings from the church tower, giving the building, alongside its architectural significance, an audible dimension that extends into the present. Those interested in churches, regional history and historic architecture will find a clearly defined cultural focus for their stay here.

The Way of St. James and individual sections

Bezděkov Nad Metují also has a visible connection to the Way of St. James. A wayside stone in the town indicates 3,321 km to Santiago de Compostela. On the Way of St. James, visitors can walk any sections they choose and collect St. James stamps along the routes for their pilgrim passport, the Credencial. This makes it possible to experience the pilgrimage-route theme in different ways: you can choose a single section or shape your stay more around the route markers and collecting the stamps.

Natural Monument and Historical Traces

Another distinctive point of interest is the protected Bezděkovský Oak, a pedunculate oak. Its trunk circumference is 450 cm, it is 24 m tall and is estimated to be 172 years old. The tree has been protected since 1995. Its exact dimensions, estimated age and year of protection give this natural monument a history just as concrete as the dates associated with the church.

The historical traces also include the Haltýře, known as Džbery. They date from 1862 and were restored to their present form in 2000. A red-marked hiking trail from Police nad Metují to Hronov passes by the Haltýře. This makes it possible to connect the site with a specific hiking route without expanding the route with additional, unverified attractions.

Part of the farm building also houses an exhibition of historic machines and objects. Visits can be arranged by appointment. This detail supplements the major themes of the church and pilgrimage route with a smaller, subject-specific exhibition and offers another opportunity to learn about the region’s past.

Further Places to Research

If you would like to compare other places in addition to Bezděkov Nad Metují, you can also look at Hermanice, Otovice U Broumova, Lhota Pod Hořičkami, Broumov, Borová U Náchoda, Říkov, Běluň and Česká Metuje afterwards.

For the higher-level travel overview: Náchod District.