Libřice: Church, Bell and Traces of Local History

Libřice brings together a church of Gothic origin with Baroque alterations and distinctive local memorials. The 1496 bell, the 1795 statue and the Dub u čp. 22 oak provide several clearly distinguishable points of connection with local history.

Libřice at a glance

• The Church of St. Michael the Archangel was originally built in the Gothic style and altered in the Baroque style in the 18th century.
• The church’s interior furnishings date from the 17th century.
• A statue of St. John of Nepomuk dating from 1795 stands in front of the church.
• A small bell tower stands at the crossroads opposite the church. The 1496 bell rings every day at noon.
• The figure of the water spirit Budlánek 2 can be seen by Dolejšák Pond.
• According to local accounts, the Dub u čp. 22 oak is more than 130 years old.

Church of St. Michael: Gothic Origins and Baroque Alterations

The Church of St. Michael the Archangel was originally built in the Gothic style. In the first half of the 18th century, it was altered in the Baroque style. Its interior furnishings date from the 17th century. For those interested in architectural history, these different periods sit side by side: the Gothic origins, the 17th-century furnishings and the later Baroque alterations.

The statue of St. John of Nepomuk, dating from 1795, stands in front of the church. Opposite, at a crossroads, is a small bell tower. The church, statue and tower are distinct historical features of the village landscape; the statue has a precise date, while the church’s architectural history spans several periods.

Bell, Water Spirit and Oak

The bell, dating from 1496, rings in Libřice every day at noon. It was preserved because of its historical rarity. Here, great age and an ongoing local practice come together: the bell is a historical object and also part of the daily midday ringing.

Budlánek 2, a figure of a water spirit, can be seen by Dolejšák Pond. It replaced the original Budlánek figure. This distinction is useful if you are exploring the local story surrounding the figure: Budlánek 2 is the successor, not the original work.

Another point of interest is the Dub u čp. 22 oak. It is said to be more than 130 years old, and its history is connected with the Zilvar family from house No. 22. Local memorials thus range from church architecture and a bell to a tree whose history is linked to a particular family and house number.

Historic Routes and Local Club Life

At least since the Middle Ages, the Libřice area lay on an old trade route from Bohemia to Kladsko and onward to Poland. This historic connection gives the village another point of reference in time and region, alongside its buildings and memorials.

One specific example of local club life was the Libřický pohár firefighting sports competition on 27 September 2025. It took place at the Libřice training ground and included categories for men, women, and children’s and youth teams. The programme featured a fire attack and a relay with two-person firefighter teams. This is a dated event; it does not establish that the event will be repeated in another year.

If you are looking for a hotel for a stay in Libřice, the village’s history offers a specific point to consider when making your decision: its points of interest range from the church and its architectural history to the bell, tree and water spirit. You can consider which of these themes would make your stay especially interesting before choosing your accommodation.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Blešno, Předměřice Nad Labem, Těchlovice, Stará Voda, Ledce, Hrádek, Osice, Mlékosrby.

FAQ / Frequently Asked Questions about Libřice

What can you see by Dolejšák Pond?

The figure of the water spirit Budlánek 2 can be seen by Dolejšák Pond in Libřice. It replaced the original Budlánek figure.

See the overview of the wider area: Okres Hradec Králové.