Welchau: Castle History, Churches and Cycling Routes

Welchau Between Castle History and Cycling Routes

Welchau can be explored from several historical perspectives: castle history, sacred sites, archaeological traces and cycling offer different focal points for your stay. This gives you not merely a standard sightseeing programme, but a selection of themes that can be arranged according to your interests and daily rhythm.

Velichov Castle in the Centre of the Village

Velichov Castle is a Gothic-Renaissance water castle that was converted into a late Baroque, Neoclassical-style château. It is located in the floodplain above the Petrovský potok, on the right bank of the Ohře, in the centre of the village. Its precise location connects the building with a clearly defined landscape without requiring a specific tour or a current interior visit.

Hilltop Settlement and Former Castle Site

The fortified hilltop settlement of Liščí vrch (Thebisberg) was established between the 13th and 9th centuries BC. It is situated on the summit plateau west of and above Velichov. The historical perspective can be complemented by the former castle site of Velichov. It is located on a promontory above the forestry administration building at the south-western edge of the municipality. Terrain remains have survived on its grounds in an area covered by mature woodland.

Church, Epitaph and Monuments

The original parish church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is documented in the parish chronicle for the year 1384. The Neo-Gothic parish church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary was built in 1895–1896 according to plans by the architect Ludvík Lábler. Historically, the church served the inhabitants of Velichov as a spiritual and social centre. For your orientation, it is important to note that the church is undergoing reconstruction, while the exterior areas are accessible.

Among the smaller historical details is the Renaissance epitaph for Josef Traugott z Mangoldu. The carved gravestone is set into the cemetery wall in Velichov. The sandstone statue of Saint John of Nepomuk was erected in 1835 by the then owners of the local estate, Franz and Anna Pelikan. The statue is freely accessible and has been protected as a monument since 3 May 1958.

More recent remembrance is also part of the villagescape. A hospice for the terminally ill was founded in Velichov; the building known as Charita is considered the municipality’s second architectural landmark. The war memorial to the victims of the First World War was presumably created in the 1920s by an unknown creator from a cemetery cross.

Cycling with Two Different Route Profiles

Two route options are available for active days. The local cycling route 2198 Velichov–Ostrov–Ryžovna–Potůčky runs along the international Euregio Egrensis route. In addition, the Karlovy Vary–Klášterec nad Ohří–Kadaň cycling stage passes through Velichov at kilometre 10.3. This stage is 46 kilometres long and classified as moderately to medium demanding. If you are looking for accommodation in Welchau, you can therefore first decide whether the focus of your trip should be more on historical evidence or on cycling. The different route details will help you structure your research and daily planning.

Further Destinations for Your Research

If you would like to explore other places in addition to Welchau, you can go directly to Chiesch, Gottesgab, Schömitz, Sodau, Stiedra), Luditz, Klein-Werscheditz and Sichlau.

For the overarching travel overview: Karlsbad District.