Dohalice: Fortress Traces and Local History

Dohalice’s historical landmarks include the granary, a remnant of the former Gothic fortress; the present-day Church of St. John the Baptist; monuments; and the events of 1866. The Bystřice also flows through the village. The locations of some of these landmarks are distinctive: the granary stands on the northern edge of the village, on the road to Sadová, probably on the site of the former fortress; the statue of Perseus is in the meadows between Dohalice and Sadová.

Fortress Traces and the History of 1866

The imposing Baroque granary stands on the northern edge of Dohalice. It is a remnant of the former Gothic fortress and probably stands on its former site. Traces of Renaissance and Baroque alterations remain in its masonry. The building thus recalls several periods: the fortress is described as Gothic, while the granary is Baroque and also preserves traces of later changes.

Another historical connection extends beyond the history of the buildings: Dohalice lies in the area where a decisive phase of the Austro-Prussian War of 1866 took place. This connection adds an important event from the 19th century to the history of the buildings.

Church of St. John the Baptist

The present-day church was built between 1894 and 1896 on the site of a rotunda that collapsed in 1888. The dates therefore mark the construction of a new building following the loss of its predecessor. The church is a hall-style, three-aisled structure. The polygonal-ended presbytery forms the chancel; a rectangular sacristy is on the south side, and a prismatic tower stands in front of the west façade.

These architectural features describe different parts and sides of the church, rather than naming just one façade style: the three aisles shape the interior, the presbytery closes it off with a polygonal end, and the locations of the sacristy and tower are clearly specified. Together with the transition from the former building to the present-day church, they offer several specific points of reference for understanding its architecture and history.

War Graves and Monuments

Four war graves by the church wall in Dohaličky are marked with sandstone plinths and cast-iron crosses. Each grave bears a different inscription. The statue of St. John of Nepomuk, dating from 1832, stands in the village square in Dohalice. The “BRIGÁDA KNEBEL” monument is also located there: it depicts a standing lion trampling a snake. The two statues in the village square thus differ both in their motifs and in their historical context.

The Bystřice, Perseus, and Local Events

The Bystřice flows through Dohalice. The statue of Perseus stands on the riverbank, in the meadows between Dohalice and Sadová. It is made of coarse-grained sandstone and dates from 1844. It is also a remnant of the former park at Sadová Castle. The castle burned down in 1744 and was abandoned. The sculpture’s connection to the castle and park gives it a different history from the monuments in the village center.

Local events also offer a glimpse into the village’s culture. The second edition of “Slavnosti chleba” in Horní Dohalice was held as a neighborhood celebration. Local bakers organized the event, which focused on various types of bread. At one edition of “Pěšky i na kole kolem Dohalic,” the route started at the school in Dohaličky between 2:00 and 3:00 p.m. and ended at the Sokolovna in Dohalice. Participants could choose a 40-kilometer blue route, an 18-kilometer green route, or a 6.6-kilometer red route. Ordered by distance, the routes therefore range from 6.6 to 18 to 40 kilometers.

Discover more destinations: Divec, Stěžery, Zizeleves, Myštěves, Mlékosrby, Všestary, Zábědov, Stračov

Return to the overview of the wider area: Okres Hradec Králové.