Kozojedy: Fortifications, Paper Crèches and Educational Trail

Kozojedy combines a remarkable historical heritage with an educational trail that crosses the village. Between archaeological traces, an unusual collection of paper crèches and paths through the wider regional surroundings, it offers a destination for anyone who wants to combine culture and activity. The variety of scales is particularly interesting: traces of the past lie directly in the village, while the 18-kilometre circular route and the historical fortifications in the surrounding area extend farther afield.

Historical Traces and Special Exhibitions

The Kozojedy archaeological site, with its fortification and village centre, lies on the south-western edge of the built-up area near the brickworks. The fortification was mentioned in 1375 and burned down by the Hussites in 1423. Its terrain traces can still be recognised south of the church. This makes it possible to understand the history of the village not only through dates, but also through a tangible landscape trace.

Another notable building is the Church of Saint Wenceslas. It is a distinctly Gothicizing wooden building; the wooden bell tower dates from 1689. For your planning, it is important to note that the church is normally not open to the public. Its historical classification should therefore not be confused with a regular interior visit.

A traditional exhibition of paper crèches is held in the former school in Kozojedy near Žlunice. It comprises more than 350 exhibits, including crèches from Austria, Germany and Italy. The exhibition also offers a personal explanation of the history of crèches and further information. This theme thus adds an illustrative collection with an international focus to the history of the village.

The Češov–Vysoké Veselí Educational Trail

The Češov–Vysoké Veselí educational trail passes through Kozojedy and has twelve stations with information boards. It is laid out as an 18-kilometre circular route with branches and begins and ends at Mírové náměstí in Vysoké Veselí. This distinction is helpful when planning your day: the circular route has a fixed starting and ending point, while the branches allow for different routes.

The Stezka Češov Veselí association maintains and enhances the educational trail. The route is also suitable for year-round visits. It therefore offers a clearly themed way to explore the surroundings, regardless of whether you are primarily interested in the information boards, the route itself or the combination of local history and landscape.

The Annual Putování

The Putování po stezce Češov–Vysoké Veselí is associated with the educational trail. The event takes place every year on the third Saturday in July, and Kozojedy is a checkpoint. In the 2026 edition, the routes ranged from 5 to 23 kilometres. The use of bicycles was recommended; walking and horseback riding, among other options, were also permitted. The annual Putování therefore differs from the fixed length of the 18-kilometre educational trail loop.

The Wider Regional Surroundings

In the wider regional surroundings of Kozojedy, the Češovské valy fortification extends for more than 2 kilometres and has five access points. The early medieval and prehistoric Češovské valy hillfort is also located there. Its surviving ramparts are the highest in Bohemia; the site was inhabited and used from prehistoric times through the Middle Ages. This chronological span makes Češovské valy an independent historical focus alongside the traces in the village centre.

The Žlunické polesí woodland is also part of the landscape. This natural monument serves to preserve a forest complex with protected and endangered plant species. Those wishing to compare different focuses for their stay in Kozojedy will thus find a combination of local history, guided information along the educational trail, regional fortifications and protected nature.

More Places for Your Search

If you would like to extend your travel planning to other places, you can also consider Hořice V Podkrkonoší, Třtěnice, Sobotka, Kacákova Lhota, Nevratice, Podhorni Ujezd A Vojice, Rytírova Lhota and Střevač.

To the higher-level travel overview: Jičín District.