Valdice – Monastery, Churches and Trails

Valdice combines distinctive architectural heritage with two documented routes of the Golden Trail of the Bohemian Paradise. This makes the town suitable for you if you would like to combine cultural impressions with a walking route and choose your accommodation based not only on a name but also on the character of the destination. The main attractions are the former Carthusian monastery, the Church of St. Joseph, Baroque monuments and the connection to Jičín.

The Former Carthusian Monastery and Its History

The founding of Valdice is associated with 10 August 1627. On this day, Albrecht von Wallenstein founded the Carthusian monastery of St. Bruno. The Carthusian monastery in Valdice was completed in 1632. Today, it is a former monastery and an important early Baroque architectural complex associated with the architects A. Spezza and J. Marini.

An important restriction should be noted when planning your visit: the former monastery cannot be visited inside because it is still used as a prison. However, there is a monument in front of the prison that is freely accessible to the public. In addition, a monument to political prisoners and victims of the communist regime was unveiled in front of the gate of Valdice Prison. The history of the town therefore includes not only the founding of the monastery and its architecture, but also later places of remembrance.

Church, Statue and Town Centre

Another chronological reference point is the monastery church, which was completed in 1668. In the town centre, the Church of St. Joseph stands in the village square on the main road. Its rectangular floor plan, set-back chancel with a segmental ending and clearly recessed four-sided tower body define its described appearance. The bell chamber reaches the height of the roof.

Opposite the municipal office stands a Baroque statue of St. John of Nepomuk from 1696. It forms a separate point of interest in the centre. The statue was restored between 1988 and 1992. Those interested in individual details rather than merely an overall view will therefore find several clearly dated testimonies here: the founding of the monastery in 1627, its completion in 1632, the monastery church from 1668 and the statue from 1696.

Two Routes through Valdice

The routes also differ in length. The Golden Trail of the Bohemian Paradise includes a 26.5-kilometre route from Kozákov to Jičín, passing through Železnice and Valdice. An alternative 36-kilometre route of the Golden Trail of the Bohemian Paradise also leads through Železnice and Valdice to Jičín. If you would like to compare different route options when planning your trip, these two figures are the relevant points of reference.

As part of a project, a shared, publicly lit pedestrian and cycle path is to be built for the connection between Valdice and Železnice. According to the project description, this would shift non-motorised traffic from a heavily trafficked road onto this infrastructure. The path should therefore be understood as a planned measure, not as an already designated current facility.

Further Places to Search

For further location options at this level, you can also find Ostružno, Holovousy, Jicineves, Kostelec, Záhuby, Boháňka, Sukorady and Kopidlno. This allows you to compare Valdice with other places before deciding on a hotel or other accommodation.

For the higher-level travel overview: Jičín District.