Kostelec: Church, Village Monuments and Hillfort

Kostelec brings together the architectural history of the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, several village monuments and an extensive hillfort site. Several historical scales stand side by side: the building phases of a church, memorials in the village and a fortification covering a considerable area.

Church and Bell Tower

The Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is a branch church in Kostelec and is of Gothic origin. After the mid-16th century, it was rebuilt in the Renaissance style; a Baroque remodelling followed in the mid-18th century. This sequence makes the church a testament to different building phases. Before visiting, check when and under what conditions the church is accessible.

A wooden bell tower, built in the 1880s, stands by the church. Its predecessor was about one storey taller and equipped with up to four bells. The comparison shows two specific differences between the structures: their height and the number of bells the earlier bell tower was designed to hold.

Village Monuments and Their Historical Context

Near the transformer, a cross bears the date 1756 and dates from the time of the Seven Years’ War. A statue of the Virgin Mary, dating approximately from the mid-18th century, stands in the village square. In the case of the cross, a specific year has been recorded, while the statue is dated only approximately; both references point to the mid-18th century.

Behind the village is a chapel that is a local monument and is awaiting repairs. Check its condition before planning a visit. This distinguishes it from the monuments in the village centre: the outstanding need for repairs is an important part of knowing what to expect when visiting.

The Kostelec Hillfort Site

Including its fortifications, the hillfort site covers approximately 13.5 hectares. The fortification was almost 1,500 metres long and enclosed an area of 12.20 hectares. These figures describe different measurements: the total area of the site including its fortifications, and the area enclosed by the fortification. The location was chosen so that the entire Jičín Basin, including the Prachov Rocks, could be seen clearly from there; the landscape setting is therefore also part of the site’s recorded description.

Along the village road, the surviving southern rampart is visible as an earthwork more than 2.5 metres high. Agricultural activity may affect how clearly the rampart can be seen today. For finding your way on site, this specific location is more informative than the area figures alone: it places part of the fortification along the village road.

Getting There and Cycling Route

The road from Jičíněves is considered a particularly suitable way to reach Kostelec. Check current road conditions before setting out. KČT cycle route No. 14 also passes through Kostelec; check the current signs before cycling. This allows the road journey and the designated cycling route to be considered separately when planning your trip.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Březina U Jičína, Boháňka, Nevratice, Kacákova Lhota, Sběř, Cholenice, Soberaz, Zeleznice

For the main travel overview: Okres Jičín.