Velké Petrovice

Velké Petrovice is a destination for anyone who wants to combine nature experiences with tangible history. Around Petrovice, traces of the medieval past meet striking rock formations, the course of the Metuje, and practical opportunities to explore the surrounding area on foot or by bike. This allows you to tailor your stay entirely to your interests: with historical discoveries, a circuit through the landscape, or a route connecting several places.

History between Petrovice and the Metuje

Petrovice was probably founded at the end of the 13th century by the Lords of Dubá. A particularly significant event followed in 1420: a battle between Catholic Silesians and Hussites took place in the Metuje valley near Petrovice. 250 Hussites are said to have fallen in this battle.

Those interested in the history of earlier settlements and fortifications will find another notable point of interest near Petrovice in Vlčinec. Traces of the medieval Vlčinec Castle can be found at the southern end of the rocky promontory. Visible ring ditches and fortification ramparts have survived from the former watch castle. The historical classification remains important here: these are preserved remains of a former structure, not a castle currently described as being in operation today.

Vlčinec: Rocks, River Bend, and Cretaceous Sea

In the vicinity of Petrovice, Vlčinec is a high, narrow rocky promontory with Cretaceous rock outcrops above a meander of the Metuje. A meander is a pronounced bend in a river and explains the promontory’s distinctive position above the river course. Near Petrovice, Vlčinec also features marlstone rock walls 5 to 8 metres high. The marlstone contains fossil remains of animals from the Cretaceous Sea.

This gives the surrounding area several different points of interest for an excursion: you can look for traces of the castle fortifications, observe the shape of the rocky promontory, or explore the geological evidence preserved in the rock. This makes it possible to plan a varied shared stay, especially for families with different interests, without separating history from the landscape.

Bike Trip and Hiking Route

During a bike trip in the Kladské Pomezí region, you can enjoy beautiful views from the road above Velké Petrovice. This perspective focuses not only on a single destination but on the landscape along the way. For a hike, the route leads from Teplice nad Metují via Skály, Čáp, and Stárkov to Velké Petrovice, continuing to the Velké Petrovice bus stop and then to Police nad Metují railway station.

The route thus presents a clearly identifiable sequence of places and transport points. If you are considering Velké Petrovice as a base for your stay, you can choose between a scenic bike trip and a longer hiking connection.

A Distinctive Detail of the Local Setting

A railway tunnel is located beneath the rock massif on which Petrovice extends. The tunnel is just under 300 metres long. This technical detail adds another layer to the character of the place: alongside the river, rock formations, and traces of historic fortifications, the railway is also part of Petrovice’s perceptible surroundings.

If you would like to compare other places in the same broader area, you can then view Česká Čermná, Dolní Radechová, Šonov, Nahořany Nad Metují, Slatina Nad Úpou, Suchý Důl, Mezilesí and Weckelsdorf.

For the broader travel overview: Náchod District.