Hrochův Týnec: Church, Castle and River Landscape

Hrochův Týnec lies in the Polabí Lowland on the left bank of the Novohradka, where it meets the Ležák stream. The Novohradka flows through the area from east to west. The location on the riverbank and the river’s direction describe two different features: where the town lies in relation to the river and the direction in which the watercourse crosses the area. The confluence with the Ležák adds a specific point in the landscape to this description. The riverside setting is therefore a distinct focus for planning your trip, alongside the historic buildings.

The Church and Its Different Historical Periods

The Church of St. Martin (Kostel sv. Martina) dates from 1723–1728 and stands on a hill above the square. The church preserves the southern Zeller Chapel of the Virgin Mary, dating from 1680. The chapel is therefore older than the present-day church and points to an earlier phase of construction. At the church’s northwest side is also the tomb of the Liliewald family, dating from 1830–1831. In chronological order, the chapel from 1680, the construction of the present-day church in the 18th century, and the tomb from 1830–1831 can be distinguished. These details offer several specific points of reference for placing the building’s history in chronological context.

The Castle, Garden House and Gable Design

Hrochův Týnec Castle lies southwest of the square, while the church stands on a hill above the same square. The two buildings are thus both associated with the square, but in different ways. A chapel of the Virgin Mary was added to the castle. The castle garden also contains a single-storey masonry garden house with a mansard roof. A mansard roof has slopes that change angle; the term therefore refers to a specific roof type. The garden house’s construction and roof design can be considered together, while the chapel is an addition to the castle.

The burgher house in Hrochův Týnec offers another, different architectural detail: its triangular gable is decorated with vases and festoons. Festoons are garland-like decorative forms that, alongside the vases, are part of the gable’s ornamentation. Here, the focus is on the façade’s design, while the church is described in terms of dates and its chapel, and the garden house in terms of its construction and roof type. This lets you distinguish between different aspects of the architecture: chronology, location and specific design features.

A Cycling Route for Planning Your Trip

The 62 km cycling route “Through the Landscape of the Ležák, Žejbro and Krounka” begins at Hrochův Týnec railway station. For an initial overview, you can consider the starting point and distance separately: the railway station marks the start in Hrochův Týnec, while the 62 kilometres indicate the route’s length. If cycling is part of your travel plans, the distance provides a specific starting point for planning your own ride. The route page was last updated in 2011, so check current route conditions before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Hodonín U Nasavrk, Skalice, Křižanovice, Kostelec U Heřmanova Městce, Sec, Vitanov, Bořice, Dvakačovice

For the broader travel overview: Okres Chrudim.