Dolní Újezd: Landscape and Architectural History

Dolní Újezd lies in gently rolling terrain on both sides of the Desná valley. The town combines architectural history, sculptures, and a heritage trail; recurring annual events provide further reasons to plan a trip. Historic buildings include the parish Church of St. Martin and a stone bridge dating from the 19th century. When planning your trip, you can choose between exploring traces of different architectural periods, following a route through the town and surrounding area, or timing your visit to coincide with an event.

The Architectural History of St. Martin’s Church

The single-nave parish Church of St. Martin was originally a Romanesque gallery church from the first half of the 13th century. The Gothic presbytery was added in the second half of the 14th century. During an extension in the 16th century, a sacristy and a northern porch were added; the Renaissance portal on the south side dates from the same period. The sequence therefore spans the church’s Romanesque origins, a Gothic addition, and Renaissance-era additions. The building offers a way to distinguish several periods in the town’s history.

Bridge, Sculptures, and Folk Architecture

The stone bridge known as Pražský most dates from 1868. The statues associated with the bridge were temporarily moved elsewhere during a restoration. The Pomník selského povstání is a monumental sculpture made of Hořice sandstone, commemorating the 1680 peasant uprising. It was created by sculptor Otakar Velínský to a design by Jan Štursa. The monument was unveiled on 14 July 1914; according to the school chronicle, more than 15,000 people are said to have attended the ceremony.

Another work is the Mariánské sousoší na Rovince, dating from 1737. It is by the prominent East Bohemian Baroque sculptor Jiří František Pacák and is considered an important work of the High Baroque, with elements of lyrical Rococo sentimentality. Farmsteads are also part of the architectural heritage: several 19th-century farmsteads survive as examples of folk architecture.

Heritage Trail and Cycling Route

The Poznávací okruh po sochařských a stavebních památkách runs through Dolní Újezd and the surrounding area. It includes 32 stops and is approximately 33 km long; 8 km of it make up the inner circular route through the town. These distances describe different sections: you can distinguish the inner town route from the full circular route, which also passes through the surrounding area. Each stop has a numbered sign and a QR code. The code links to descriptions of the monuments and directions to the next stop.

KČT cycling route 4019, named Krajem Smetany a Martinů, also passes through Dolní Újezd. Check the route details before setting off.

Recurring Events

Újezdské babí léto is a country-folk festival held annually in Dolní Újezd on the penultimate weekend of August. It takes place in the natural area used by the volunteer fire brigade, in the Desná valley next to the swimming pool. The natural area’s grounds are used as a campsite for the festival. Another recurring event is the traditional Benátská noc. It is held every year in early July in the natural area in the Desná valley. The two events therefore take place at different times during the summer; check the specific event date before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Nemcice, Dlouhá Loučka, Staré Město, Jedlova, Stašov, Rozhraní, Telecí, Nová Ves U Jarošova

For the broader travel overview: Okres Svitavy.