Újezd: Baroque Chapel and Medieval Fortress

Újezd is shaped by the Chapel of Panny Marie Pomocné and the excursion destination of Hradištěk on the eastern edge of the village. The valley of the Švábský potok contains further traces of the past, from sandstone quarries to rock carvings. The architecture and traces in the landscape offer distinct points of interest.

Újezd at a glance

• The Chapel of Panny Marie Pomocné is a rural Baroque chapel built in 1730, with a circular central plan.
• Hradištěk lies on the eastern edge of Újezd, next to the Neoclassical Church of St. Nicholas.
• The medieval fortress of Hradištěk dates from the 14th century; its visible features include a mound, a ditch, and ramparts.
• The valley of the Švábský potok contains historic sandstone quarries.
• The side ravines contain caves and rock overhangs with signs of human working, as well as historic rock carvings.
• A cycling route in the municipality of Jestřebí runs from the railway station toward Sluneční Dvůr and ends at Zákupy Castle. Check the information, which dates from January 2024, before setting out.

Hradištěk: Remains of a 14th-century fortress

On the eastern edge of Újezd, the excursion destination of Hradištěk lies next to the Neoclassical Church of St. Nicholas. The remains of a medieval fortress dating from the 14th century have been preserved there. Visible remains include a prominent mound marking the core of the castle, as well as large parts of the surrounding ditch and ramparts.

When viewing the site, note how these features work together: the mound marks the core, while the ditch and ramparts form the surrounding fortifications. Hradištěk is therefore understood not just through its mound; the surrounding traces in the landscape are also part of the picture of the medieval fortress. This distinguishes the site from a visit focused primarily on a single building.

Chapel of Panny Marie Pomocné: Baroque architectural features

The Chapel of Panny Marie Pomocné in Újezd is a rural Baroque chapel dating from 1730. Újezd is now part of the municipality of Jestřebí. The chapel has a circular central plan and a façade with a volute gable. A roof turret with a bell, dome, and cross sits on the roof.

Three distinct aspects of its design help put it in context: the floor plan, the shape of the façade, and the roof structure. A volute gable can be identified by its curved, rolled forms. The circular central plan describes the layout of the building, while the roof turret, bell, dome, and cross define the roof design. This makes it possible to consider the building’s date, style, and specific design details together.

Sandstone quarries and rock carvings in the valley of the Švábský potok

The valley of the Švábský potok contains historic sandstone quarries. The side ravines have several caves and rock overhangs with signs of human working; historic rock carvings can also be found there. These terms refer to different traces: the quarries indicate sandstone extraction, while signs of human working on caves and overhangs, as well as the rock carvings, reveal further human interventions in the rock.

This broadens the focus beyond buildings to include landscape features and their history. For those interested in cultural history, the distinction between a quarry, worked caves and overhangs, and rock carvings is informative: these are different records of human engagement with the rock, not a single unified site. The valley and its side ravines thus form a distinct area of interest alongside the chapel and the fortification remains of Hradištěk.

Cycling route in the municipality

A cycling route in the municipality of Jestřebí runs from the railway station toward Sluneční Dvůr and ends at Zákupy Castle. The route information dates from January 2024. Check the route before your ride. The route offers another planning consideration at the municipal level, alongside Újezd’s cultural and historical attractions.

Discover more destinations: Kravaře V Čechách, Dubnice Pod Ralskem, Kamenický Šenov, Stružnice, Svor, Blíževedly, Žandov, Jestřebí U České Lípy.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Újezd

What is the difference between Hradištěk and the Chapel of Panny Marie Pomocné?

Hradištěk preserves the remains of a medieval fortress dating from the 14th century. The chapel is a rural Baroque building erected in 1730.

Go to the main travel overview: Okres Česká Lípa.