Jenčice: Košťálov, Chapels and Landscape

Jenčice is located in the Bohemian Central Uplands along the Lovosice–Most route. The village is an interesting choice if, during your stay, you would like to combine historical traces, distinctive landscapes and routes for your own explorations. Košťál, with its castle ruins, is the main attraction, but chapels and notable natural features also give the surrounding area its own character.

Košťálov and the History of the Castle

Košťál is a 488-metre-high basalt hill crowned by the distinctive Košťálov ruins. Today, the castle ruins are freely accessible. They lie on a green-marked hiking trail and offer extensive views from their rocky promontory. This makes it possible to combine a visit to the historic site directly with a hike and an open landscape experience in the Bohemian Central Uplands.

Košťálov Castle was probably built in the 14th century and was first mentioned in written records in 1372. By the beginning of the 17th century, it had already been abandoned. For travellers interested in culture, this creates a destination where history is visible precisely in the remaining walls and the castle’s location on the basalt hill.

Chapels with Clear Visitor Information

Jenčice is home to the Chapel of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. No regular services are held there, and the chapel is not accessible to visitors with disabilities. This information is important for planning your excursion if you specifically wish to visit religious buildings or require step-free access.

The Chapel of St Anne near Košťálov has the address Jenčice. No regular services are held there either, and the chapel is not accessible to visitors with disabilities. The two religious buildings add another cultural and historical dimension to the village alongside the castle ruins.

Hiking, Cycling and Notable Natural Features

A green-marked hiking route leads from Třebenice to Košťál over approximately 3.3 kilometres. This approximate distance gives you a concrete indication for combining the route and destination without presupposing a specific walking time or level of difficulty. Cycle Route No. 25 Jezerní also runs around Košťál Hill. The hiking route leads specifically to Košťálov, while the cycle route runs around Košťál Hill; you can therefore choose between a direct hiking destination and a ride around the hill.

Košťál is also a natural monument. On the volcanic rocks of the Bohemian Central Uplands, it is home to heat-loving communities of organisms. A rare service tree also grows in the cadastral area of Jenčice. For planning your excursion, this means that, in addition to the ruins, you can consider the area’s geological formations and distinctive plant life as independent natural attractions. Together with the basalt hill and the ruins, they create a landscape in which nature, geology and history stand closely side by side.

More Places for Planning Your Trip

If you would like to explore other places in this selection in addition to Jenčice, you can find Záluží U Roudnice Nad Labem, Černouček, Evaň, Náčkovice, Hoštka, Chodouny, Hrobce and Chotěšov U Vrbičan here.

For the overview of the wider travel region: Litoměřice District.