Discover Semice: Nature, History and Routes

Semice can be explored through several themes: the protected landscape of Polabské hůry, the history of the Church of St Mary Magdalene, and routes that pass through the village or continue from there. Also part of the picture is the Šáteček children's folklore ensemble, which is connected with the folklore of the Central Elbe region. This gives you different ways to plan your trip, with a focus on nature, architectural history, folklore or routes.

Natural landscape of Polabské hůry

Polabské hůry protects semi-natural dry grasslands, shrub formations on calcareous soils, and extensively mown meadows. The landscape extends from lowland to foothills. Well-preserved examples of the Elbe region's white slopes are also part of this natural area. In an area dominated by intensive agriculture, they provide refuges for many endangered plant and animal species. The focus is therefore on a range of habitats: open dry grasslands, calcareous shrub formations and mown meadows.

At the summit of Semická hůra, heat-loving woodland-edge species grow alongside small stands of black pine within the protected area. The information about the slopes and the summit highlights different aspects of the landscape: the white slopes are important refuges for endangered species, while specific vegetation types characterise the summit of Semická hůra. Those interested in nature and landscapes will find more here than a general reference to a protected area.

Church history and folklore

The Church of St Mary Magdalene brings together two different chapters in the village's history. During the Thirty Years' War, Swedish troops destroyed and burned the church in 1641. In 1731, a church was built on the site of an earlier place of worship. The building is a Baroque structure with a mansard tower. The dates therefore mark two different events: the destruction during the war and the subsequent construction of the church.

The Šáteček children's folklore ensemble is a distinct cultural highlight. It was founded in 1985 at the primary school in Semice and is dedicated to the folklore of the Central Elbe region. The ensemble consists of two dance groups and a music group, which perform together in the Czech Republic and abroad. This offers another way to explore local culture, alongside architectural history, through an organised folklore tradition. The church and the ensemble offer different perspectives: one leads to the history of a church building, the other to the music and dance of the Central Elbe region.

Educational trail, hiking route and cycling tour

Semice's excursion tips include the “Krajinou Rudolfa II.” educational trail. A red-marked hiking route passes through Semice and continues to Hradišťko and Nymburk. For cyclists, the 2024 cycling tour “Na kole mezi Prahou a Kolínem” describes a ride to Semice; from there, it points towards Hradišťko, Sadská and Kersko. The descriptions thus distinguish between a named educational trail, a hiking route with two onward destinations, and a cycling tour with several directions.

You can also compare the destinations mentioned to help plan your trip: Hradišťko appears on both the hiking route and the cycling tour. Nymburk is named as a continuation of the hiking route, while Sadská and Kersko are among the directions given for the cycling tour. This can help you decide whether you are more interested in the educational trail, a hiking route or the cycling tour described here. Semice's nature and culture offer a distinctive addition to your stay planning.

Discover more destinations: Chotesice, Vykáň, Opolany, Žitovlice, Loučeň, Kněžice, Kounice, Netřebice.

For the broader travel overview: Okres Nymburk.