Holice in Bohemia: Holiday apartments and holiday homes

Culture and history

Holice is home to the stone Church of St Martin, Kostel sv. Martina, which was built in the Baroque style between 1736 and 1739 according to plans by court architect Kilián Ignác Dientzenhofer. Inside, the original Martin bell from 1499, a main altar with a painting of St Martin, and stone and pewter baptismal fonts from the 16th century have been preserved.

West of Kostel sv. Martina lies the former Holice fortress site, with remains of a fortress dating from the mid-14th century. At the southwestern and northwestern corners, square platforms with clearly recognisable corner bastions measuring approximately 13 metres in diameter have been preserved; remains of the moat are also visible on the western side.

The Africké Muzeum Dr. Emila Holuba in Holice displays collections as well as the important ethnographic work of Dr Emil Holub. The exhibition focuses primarily on his life, expeditions and work, as well as the life, expeditions and work of his wife, Růžena Holubová.

One of the city’s distinctive buildings is also the Sokolovna, an architecturally significant structure designed and planned by architect Otakar Novotný. The foundation stone was laid in August 1912, and the ceremonial opening took place at the Sokol district festival in August 1913. Today, the building is used exclusively for sports by local schools and clubs.

Routes through Holice

The Od Holuba k Malichovi route is also designed as an educational trail: in Holice, it combines architecture and history with the flora and fauna of the city park, as well as contemporary art, and also addresses the battles of the May Uprising. The route is 4.3 kilometres long, takes approximately 90 minutes and ends near the starting point at the Základní umělecká škola Karla Malicha. It follows easy terrain and is suitable for visitors of all ages, pedestrians and wheelchair users.

Another historical route, Po stopách holického povstání, leads to interesting places connected with the Holice uprising at the end of the Second World War.

Nature and sport

The Městský park facility on Smetanova Street was initiated on 26 March 1883, after František Holub senior put forward the proposal at the general meeting of the Citizens’ Fund, which allocated 873 guilders for it. The site on the outskirts of the city was subsequently transformed into a picturesque, park-like natural area.

Holice’s sporting character is reflected in the Motokrosová trať Michaela Špačka. The natural track is 1,955 metres long and at least 6 metres wide. Training on the track must be arranged by telephone.

Other places

Further destinations to explore: Horní Roveň, Vysoke Chvojno, Horní Jelení, Kladruby Nad Labem, Rohovládova Bělá, Uhersko, Černá U Bohdanče, Spojil.

To the higher-level travel overview: Okres Pardubice.