Plchovice: Irrigation Canal and Local History

When choosing a travel destination, local history and designated landscape features can provide important guidance. In Plchovice, the topics range from the historic irrigation canal in the western part of the village to natural and cultural features within the municipality. There are also dated structures and an educational trail focusing on history and local studies.

The irrigation canal and its history

Prince Ferdinand Kinský had the irrigation canal built in 1853. It was intended to irrigate the meadows of an estate farm located near Plchovice, called Růženin Dvůr or Růžovec. The canal runs through the western part of the village. Its history thus connects a specific water-management purpose with the use of the meadows at the time and a named farm near the village.

Irrigation was not merely its original purpose: meadows were still irrigated using the canal in the first half of the 20th century. Today, “Vodní kanál zavodňovací” is listed as a cultural monument under registration number ÚSKP 101535. The listing refers to the municipality of Plchovice; the described route through the western part of the village, by contrast, indicates its location within the village. This makes it possible to consider its historical function, location and monument status separately.

Landscape features within the municipality

Orlice Nature Park is located within the municipality of Plchovice. The Orlice and Elbe Special Area of Conservation, part of the Natura 2000 network, is also located there. In addition, the meandering riverbed of the Tichá Orlice is designated as a significant landscape feature. The nature park, Natura 2000 site and riverbed are distinct landscape features. They therefore offer several perspectives on the landscape for planning your trip, without implying that the designations refer to the same feature.

Dated structures and local history

The municipality contains a brick chapel dating from 1890 and a stone cross from 1840. Both are designated as architecturally valuable structures. Typical agricultural buildings have also been preserved in Plchovice. If their current condition matters for your trip, check it before visiting.

The first written mention of Plchovice dates from 1342. This was more than five centuries before the irrigation canal was built. The cross and chapel add two later, clearly dated structures to this timeline; exactly fifty years separate their construction dates. You can thus consider early local history, water engineering and individual architecturally valuable structures as distinct stages in the area’s history.

Mezi Orlicemi educational trail

The “NS Choceňska – Mezi Orlicemi” educational trail passes through Plchovice. The Mezi Orlicemi long-distance educational trail is aimed primarily at cyclists and covers history and local studies. The route description published in 2020 lists 32 stops with information panels. The number of stops and the condition of the panels may change, so check the latest information before your trip. You should also check the route status locally before travelling.

The educational trail offers a different way to explore the area than the individual dated structures: its focus is on history and local studies, while the chapel and cross are each identified by their year of construction. If you choose Plchovice for your trip, you can distinguish between an educational trail aimed primarily at cyclists and covering history and local studies, and the area’s specific local and landscape features.

Discover more destinations: Strážná, Týnišťko, Vračovice-Orlov, Ostrov, Tisová, Leština, Radhošť, Vyprachtice

Return to the main travel overview: Okres Ústí Nad Orlicí.