Bílsko U Hořic: History and Village Culture

A village at the southern foot of Hořický chlum

The location of Bílsko u Hořic is clearly described: the village lies 2 km west of Hořice at the southern foot of Hořický chlum. Anyone choosing Bílsko U Hořic for a stay can therefore place the village precisely between the town and the distinctive landscape feature of Hořický chlum.

Its history dates back to 1386. Bílsko u Hořic is first mentioned in that year; at the time, Zdislav from Bílsko lived there. For those interested in smaller places in the Czech Republic, this is an informative starting point: the history here does not begin with modern tourism development, but with a medieval reference.

History with gaps and visible traces

The castle or fortress of Bílsko is also part of the past. After 1621, it fell into disrepair, and it is no longer mentioned in later sources. The site therefore primarily represents the historical dimension of the village and a part of its past that was not supplemented by continuous later references.

Two cultural monuments in Bílsko u Hořic are more tangible. The statue of the Holy Trinity dates from 1855 and was restored in 1906. It combines a date of origin in the 19th century with a later restoration. Beside it stands the Stéla s reliéfem Nejsvětější Trojice, a sandstone stele with a relief. It is the work of a regional artist and was created in a more folk-inspired style of the mid-19th century. Together, the two works draw attention to different forms of local artistic expression: a statue in one case, and a stele with a relief in the other.

Village culture between theatre and remembrance

Bílsko’s cultural life is reflected not only in historical monuments. The Ochotnický spolek Blsko was founded on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the first theatrical performance in Bílsko. Each year, the association prepares a fairy-tale play and a farce, which are then performed in the municipal barn.

Another recurring tradition is the Sjezd rodáků a přátel obce in Bílsko. It has been held regularly every five years since 2006. Only once was it postponed by a year because of COVID measures. This rhythm is particularly characteristic of the village’s place in time: alongside the theatrical performances prepared each year, there is an event held at longer intervals that celebrates the connection between local residents and friends of the municipality.

Velké Bílsko is also one of the cultural points of interest. It has a village square with typical village houses. The range therefore extends from the village’s location and historical traces to the village square, theatre and recurring events.

Further destinations for orientation

For orientation: Staré Místo, Rytírova Lhota, Brdy, Milovice U Hořic, Boháňka, Rašín, Hubálov and Češov.

For the higher-level travel overview: Jičín District.