Nové Mesto Nad Metují: History and Trails in the Metuje Valley

The historic center and the castle come together naturally in Nové Mesto Nad Metují. The town brings together a church with several historical layers, Husovo náměstí square, castle tours, a town museum and a gallery with changing exhibitions. There is also a signposted town walking route, an educational trail and a walking connection through two stream valleys. This lets you plan your trip around the themes that interest you most.

Building history in the town center

Construction of the Church of the Holy Trinity was completed in 1519. Most of its furnishings date from the 17th century; the organ was made by Jiří Weindt of Křešov in 1656. The completion of the building, its furnishings and the organ therefore belong to different historical periods. On the north side of Husovo náměstí, the façade was reconstructed in Renaissance forms dating from the 1530s between 1951 and 1954. Its characteristic features include the “swallow-tail” gables. The forms and the much later reconstruction provide two different points in time for exploring the square.

During the reconstruction of Husovo náměstí in 2009, the remains of a water reservoir also came to light near the monument to the Holy Trinity. This connects the architecture of the square with a specific archaeological find. The church and the square offer different ways to explore local history: through the date a building was constructed, its furnishings and the revived Renaissance forms, as well as through remains uncovered during construction work.

Castle, museum and gallery

The castle offers two guided tours: “Zámecké interiéry” and “Od půdy po sklep.” Access arrangements may vary seasonally. If you are planning a tour, check the arrangements for your chosen date before your visit.

The town museum features exhibitions on the region’s history, crafts and nature. The collection also includes PRIM wristwatches, among them the oldest, largest and smallest watches in the collection. The Zázvorka Municipal Gallery complements these themes with changing exhibitions throughout the year across two floors. The art forms on display include painting, photography, woodcuts and sculpture. Since the specific exhibitions change, check the program in advance if you are interested in a particular exhibition or medium.

Walking routes and valleys

The Městský vycházkový okruh starts near the bus station and follows the local circuit’s green-and-white markings. It passes through deciduous woodland and descends into the Metuje Valley. A marked trail and a transition from woodland to the valley landscape are among its defining features. Dvořáčkova vyhlídka offers a view across the valley to Nové Mesto Nad Metují Castle.

The Obůrka Klopotov educational trail introduces visitors to the natural and historical features of the Klopotov Valley. Information boards, interactive elements for children and basic visitor facilities complement the trail. If learning about a place along the way matters to you, this focus sets it apart from the marked town walking route.

A pleasant walking connection runs through the deep valley of the Klopotovský and Bohdašínský streams between Nové Mesto Nad Metují and Slavoňov. This connection has a different focus from a circuit in town: it links two places and follows the valleys of both streams. Together with the route into the Metuje Valley and the educational trail in the Klopotov Valley, it offers different ways to choose between town culture, nature topics and walks when planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Horicky, Žernov U České Skalice, Vernerovice, Bukovice, Velké Poříčí, Velichovky, Stolin, Zdonov

For the broader travel overview: Okres Náchod.