Všestary: Battlefield History and Prehistory

Všestary combines themes of the 1866 Battle and prehistory with several cycling routes. If you are looking for a hotel for your stay, you can plan around your main interests: the museum and the Chlum battlefield focus on the history of 1866, while the Archaeopark focuses on prehistory. You can compare the two circular routes described here by their distances.

The Chlum Battlefield and the Year 1866

On Chlum Hill, the Muzeum války 1866 is part of the battlefield complex in the municipality of Všestary. The museum presents the conflict through the personal stories of soldiers and civilians. A mobile augmented-reality experience brings artillery positions, trenches and troop movements to life in the battlefield landscape. Guided tours of the exhibition and battlefield are available to book; check the current booking arrangements in advance.

Monuments also define Chlum’s historical focus: the battlefield is home to almost 500, together forming the largest collection of funerary architecture in the Czech Republic. This lets you explore the subject from two perspectives—through the personal stories presented by the museum and through the monuments in the landscape.

Prehistory at the Archeopark pravěku Všestary

The Archeopark pravěku Všestary focuses on a different period. Its three-storey exhibition on prehistory includes a large model of prehistoric landscapes and human settlements. It also features an outdoor exhibition, examples of prehistoric buildings—including a Neolithic house and a Chalcolithic house—and an exhibition about domestic animals. The Archaeopark regularly hosts programmes on a variety of themes that bring life in prehistoric times to life; the individual programmes vary.

There is also evidence of prehistoric settlement in Všestary itself. From Všestary railway station, the Archaeopark is about a 15-minute walk. A cycling educational trail leads from Hradec Králové to the Archaeopark, stopping at archaeological sites along the way. If you are planning to cycle this route, check the route conditions before setting off.

Church of the Holy Trinity

The Church of the Holy Trinity is a protected cultural monument and a landmark of Všestary and its surrounding area. The present-day Neoclassical church was built in 1842–1843, after the previous church was demolished, leaving only its tower. The tower dates from the Gothic and Renaissance periods. The building thus brings together different eras: the church itself is Neoclassical, while its tower preserves older architectural forms.

Cycling Routes and Other Activities

The 20-kilometre “Chlum přes Hoříněves” cycling route starts at Všestary railway station and returns to Všestary via Rozběřice. The 26-kilometre “Dlouhý okruh bitvou r. 1866” starts in Všestary, leads to Chlum and returns via Rozběřice. The routes differ in length by six kilometres; on the longer loop, the route to Chlum is explicitly part of the description. Both route descriptions mention Rozběřice on the return journey. Check the route conditions before setting off.

Other options complement the historical themes: the swimming pool in Všestary offers swimming lessons for everyone from children aged six months to competitive swimmers. If a lesson is important to your plans, check current availability. In the municipality of Všestary, Lesní divadlo Chlum offers theatre and music programmes; the individual programmes vary. Check the dates for specific events.

Všestary in Its Regional Context

Všestary lies about seven kilometres west of Hradec Králové on road I/35. The village was founded by the Melounka stream and along an old trade route connecting Hradec Králové with Hořice and Jičín. These historical connections complement the present-day attractions: as well as the battlefield’s history and prehistory, the church and the cycling routes described here can also be part of your travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Měník, Myštěves, Nový Bydžov, Libníkovice, Hradec Králové, Lišice, Mžany, Hlušice.

See the regional travel overview: Hradec Králové District.