Discover Helvíkovice

Helvíkovice between river landscapes and cultural history

Helvíkovice is a destination for travellers who want to combine their stay with small historical discoveries, cycling and walks. The town stretches along both banks of the Divoká Orlice. As a result, the river shapes the geographical orientation as well as the character of the surrounding area. At the same time, Road I/11 runs through the centre of Helvíkovice; on both sides, it is lined with a linden avenue. When choosing accommodation, this combination of landscape, town centre and cultural attractions provides a useful starting point for your further planning.

Attractions with their own distinctive character

Among the notable buildings is the chapel dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua, which was completed in 1894. It is not only a testimony to local history, but is also used for various cultural events, including concerts and exhibitions. Depending on the events programme, the chapel can therefore offer a cultural reason to visit in addition to its historical significance.

Helvíkovice’s Baroque heritage also includes a statue of Saint John of Nepomuk dating from 1717. Another historical destination lies on the outskirts of the town: there, the English nobleman John Parish had a small Empire-style hunting lodge built in a pheasantry at the beginning of the 19th century. The former hunting lodge now serves as a forestry lodge. Its history thus connects its former representative use with the building’s present-day function.

Following in the footsteps of Prokop Diviš

Helvíkovice is closely associated with the natural scientist and inventor Prokop Diviš. He, the inventor of the grounded lightning conductor, was born in Helvíkovice near Žamberk on 26 March 1696. A memorial mast stands in the immediate vicinity of his birthplace. The birthplace itself has been converted into a memorial room that is open to the public. This makes it possible to trace the town’s history at a specific location rather than limiting it to a single monument.

Several options are available for travelling to this historical destination from Žamberk: Prokop Diviš’s birthplace can be reached from there by car, bus, bicycle or on foot. You can therefore choose the option that suits your stay according to your preferred travel pace and selected accommodation in the surrounding area, without having to commit to just one form of transport.

Cycling and walks around the town

The surrounding area also offers clear options for active excursions. The green cycle route No. 4073 runs from Betlém via Helvíkovice to the ascent to Poplužní dvůr. Another option is the cycle route “Z Ústí nad Orlicí přes čtyři hrady”, which passes through Helvíkovice. Both routes place the town within different broader excursion contexts: Route No. 4073 connects Helvíkovice with Betlém and the ascent to Poplužní dvůr, while the route from Ústí nad Orlicí passes through four castles. In addition, the area around Helvíkovice is suitable for walks.

Helvíkovice as a starting point for choosing your destination

When looking for accommodation in Helvíkovice, you can therefore weigh different priorities against one another: the location on the Divoká Orlice, orientation along Road I/11, cultural destinations such as the chapel and memorial room, or connections to the described cycling routes. To continue exploring neighbouring places, you can also find České Heřmanice, Svatý Jiří, Hrádek, Horní Třešňovec, Rybník, Lubník, Řetůvka and Ceske Libchavy.

For the broader travel overview: Okres Ústí Nad Orlicí.