Volárna: Village History and Landscape

Volárna offers several distinct points of interest for planning a trip: a planned village layout, the open agricultural landscape of the Polabí region, and a local history that ranges from water management to local places of remembrance. When looking for a hotel, this overview can help you decide whether Volárna matches your travel interests.

Village Character and Landscape

The planned village layout consists of simple houses arranged in clear lines. Together with the open agricultural landscape of the Polabí region, both the settlement pattern and its agricultural setting define the character of the village. You can use this connection as a starting point if you are interested in rural settlement patterns and how they fit into an agricultural landscape.

A protected natural feature is named “Váha u Volárny.” It is a small, old water basin surrounded by trees, in the middle of fields about half a kilometre from Volárna. The tree-lined body of water stands in clear contrast to the open fields. It adds a distinctive natural feature to the village landscape, setting it apart from the village layout.

History and Local Remembrance

The history of the water landscape also stretches back several centuries. The Bačovský side channel was built in 1475 to bring water from the Cidlina. The Bačovský Pond was gradually drained and abandoned in the 18th century. A historic water-management project and the later abandonment of a pond thus represent different chapters in local history.

Volárna was founded in 1778 on the site of former stables known as “panská volárna.” These stables were located in the area of the former village of Břežany. The village’s founding is therefore tied to a specific former site and its history.

The monument to the victims of the First World War, erected in 1919, serves both as a war memorial and as the central cross in the cemetery. It commemorates local victims of the events of 1914–1918. A total of 104 men from Volárna were conscripted for military service; 15 of them fell in the war.

Volárna’s wooden bell tower also dates from 1919 and is classified as folk architecture. Historically, it served both religious and practical purposes for the village community. The bell called people to prayer, announced the evening and midday ringing as well as everyday and festive events, and could warn of danger. The tower can therefore be understood both as a structure and through the former role its bell played in village life.

Cultural traditions also include Staročeské máje, a long-standing local tradition in Volárna. It adds another facet to the village’s history alongside its buildings and places of historical remembrance.

Getting There and Staying

Volárna has bus services that are part of the Prague Integrated Transport system. The nearest railway station to Volárna is in Velký Osek, four kilometres away. Check current timetables before travelling, as service details may change. The area around Volárna is also ideal for hiking. When choosing a destination, you can take into account both how to get there and your interest in the landscape and local history.

Discover more destinations: Kbel, Krakovany, Tuklaty, Žehuň, Velký Osek, Kouřim, Ohaře, Veletov

See the broader travel overview: Kolín District.