Doubravčice: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

The hillfort near Doubravčice is considered one of the oldest fortified Slavic settlements in Bohemia. It is located less than 1 km from the village in the forests above the Šembera on a promontory up to 60 m high, protected by steep slopes and accessible only from the south. The visible remains of Šember Castle include masonry remains of the fortification walls on the eastern side, depressions indicating cellars, remains of medieval building walls, the area of a half-timbered palace and ramparts; the castle was built on the site of the hillfort in 1357.

History and Village Character

The first documented written mention of Doubravčice appears in a deed of donation by John of Luxembourg, issued in Tuhošť (Domažlice) on 25 August 1331. Dolánky is an abandoned medieval village in the eastern part of the cadastral area of the municipality of Doubravčice. It lies in a valley through which a small tributary of the Šembera flows. Archaeological traces include a castle site, an abandoned pond with a dam, a large farmstead and several preserved medieval paths.

The original form of Doubravčice’s upper village square has been preserved; several well-preserved rural buildings stand there.

Landscape and Paths

The restored field path “U hruštičky” near Doubravčice is planted with cherry and rowan trees and also includes a pear tree. The restored field path “Osičiny (Jabloň)” lies at the end of Doubravčice towards Mukařov, was renewed in 2013 and is characterised by fruit trees and shrubs. At the highest point of Doubravčice, by the water tower at the junction between Pod Vodárnou and Nad Lomem streets, there is a wide view of the surrounding area.

Active Pursuits

Yellow and green hiking trails run through Doubravčice; below the village in the Šembera valley, yellow, green and red trails intersect. A red hiking trail runs through the Šembera corridor and is supplemented below Tuchoraz by the “Zahrady” educational trail. Doubravčice is also included in a system of marked cycling trails.

The “Údolím Šembery” educational trail, opened on 10 September 2011, is approximately 8.5 km long, is considered easy to moderately difficult and is recommended for families with children. It is equipped with 12 information boards, interactive elements and questions for children and adults. The Šembera is navigable almost all year round when the water level is somewhat higher, though conditions are better when the ponds are being drained; the journey is slow because the riverbed is overgrown in places and trees have to be carried around.

The multifunctional playground and sports field offers facilities for basketball, volleyball, nohejbal and floorball, as well as fitness elements for adults.

Refreshments

Doubravčická hospoda has 60 seats and a garden with a children’s playground. It serves hot meals and a daily menu.

More village pages: Polepy, Ždánice, Radovesnice I, Tuklaty, Cerhenice, Vrbčany, Pečky and Zalešany.

To the higher-level travel overview: Kolín District.