Discover Velenice U Zákup

Velenice lies in the valley of the small Svitava River. Forests, sandstone rocks and a hilly plateau shape the landscape on the foothills of the Lusatian Mountains. Historical buildings and artworks carved into rock add a range of ways to make the village a base for a stay. If you choose Velenice as your destination, you can set your own priorities among the landscape, local history and excursions in the surrounding area.

Landscape around Velenice

A notable feature of the area is the wooded basalt hill Velenický kopec. It is 417 metres high and has a rocky ridge; its slopes are covered with forest overgrown scree fields. Together with the sandstone rocks and hilly plateau, it creates a mix of different landscape forms. The area around Velenice is suitable for hiking. The hill and the Svitava valley offer two different perspectives on the village: the wooded ridge on one hand, and its setting in the river valley on the other.

It is important to take the timing into account when planning a view of Velenice: a local government guide from 2023 describes the summit view from Velenický kopec as overgrown and identifies a meadow below the forest edge as a viewpoint over the village. Vegetation and viewpoints can change. If you include this view in your plans, check the situation before your visit.

Church, heritage zone and rock chapel

The Baroque Church of the Holy Trinity in Velenice was completed in 1735 and solemnly consecrated on 25 July of the same year. The village received another historical designation in 1995, when it was declared a village heritage zone. The dates mark different aspects of local history: the completion and consecration of a specific building, and the later designation of the heritage zone.

The Boží hrob Rock Chapel is a remarkable example of Baroque popular piety. Local farmer Schille had it carved into a sandstone rock in 1710–1711. Reliefs carved into the rock in the second decade of the 18th century depict the Passion cycle and show the suffering of Christ. About 50 metres from the chapel is a popular-style relief of the Crucifixion, also carved into the rock. The chapel is about 350 metres from Velenice, on the left side of the road leading east out of the village towards nearby Brniště.

The remains of Velenice Castle also tell the story of how the rock and sandstone were used. They include a narrow cellar carved out of the rock and the foundations of a rectangular sandstone structure. Another stone monument in the village is the Schill Cross, which bears the date 1633. Taken together, these local traces of history span a dated cross, a medieval ruin and the Baroque work on the rock chapel.

Walks and excursions

When planning a hike, you can make the landscape around Velenice your main focus. There are also described excursion options connected with Zákupy: the local nature trail can be extended with a walk to Velenice. An excursion route from Zákupy also includes a descent in the direction of Velenice. The descriptions refer to different types of outings; they can serve as separate points of reference as you consider how to include Velenice in your travel plans.

The Velenický betlém throughout the year

Another distinctive feature of village life is the wooden Christmas Nativity scene, Velenický betlém, beside the Chapel of St Joseph. Petra Pilná and Josef Vörös began creating it in 2018. The festive lighting takes place every year on the Saturday before the first Sunday of Advent, so the date changes from year to year. The celebration includes treats made by local homemakers. There is also a competition at the event: the person with the tastiest homemade product receives the title “Velenická kulinářská hvězda”. This tradition combines a permanent place in the village landscape with an annually changing date and local culinary participation.

Discover more destinations: Kvítkov, Prysk, Marenice, Česká Lípa, Kozly U České Lípy, Doksy, Holany, Krompach V Cechách.

For the broader travel overview: Česká Lípa District.