*A tour around the historic and prehistoric sites near Kouřim: 7 km*

• In the Middle Ages, the town of Kouřim, situated midway between Prague and Kuná Hora, was at the center of historical events in Bohemia. Today, there is little immediate evidence of its importance, but a short exploration of the area uncovers some fascinating history (and prehistory). Coincidentally, Kouřim also lies at the astronomical center of Europe (it lies at the intersection of the 15th meridian east longitude and the 50th parallel north latitude – there is a small monument marking the spot!)
• The fertile hilly landscape around Kouřím, well served with streams and natural springs, resulted in significant prehistoric settlement in the area, starting some 7000 years ago. The hilltop site at Stará Kouřim, with its natural reservoir (today called Libuše’s lake) was evidently an important ritual and burial site for periods during the late Neolithic, Bronze and early Iron Ages.
• In the 6th century AD, Slavic tribes arrived in the area, occupying and expanding the older hillfort. By the 9th century Stará Kouřim was an important power center and was possibly the largest fortified site in Bohemia at that time. The local Slavic rulers were caught up in the struggles for dominance of the region in the 10th century, which lead to the emergence of the Přemyslid kingdom (and the destruction of the original fortified site at Stará Kouřim).
• Near the hillfort entrance is the famous gneiss rock called Lech’s stone. Lech was the mythical brother of Čech (founder of the nation) and who arrived at the hillfort and apparently lit a signal fire on the rock, to alert his bother (who was sitting on Říp – which is 100 km away…) as to his location. In the legend, the smoke from Lech’s fire apparently gave rise to the name of the settlement (Kouřim translates as ‘I am smoking…’).
• The Přemyslids later created their own fortified town below the Stará Kouřim hill and by the 13th century, Kouřim boasted some of the most powerful town fortifications in the country. Many of these fortifications remain intact today, including the impressive Pražská brána – one of Central Europe’s best preserved 13th century town gates. On the main square is the church of St Stephen, a unique example of mixed Romanesque and early Gothic architecture, dating from the 1360’s.
• In the 15th century, the nearby hill of Lipská hora was the location of one of the most important battles in the Hussite Wars, when on 30 May 1434 a coalition of moderate Hussites and Bohemian Catholics defeated the radical Hussite forces under Prokop the Great. Prokop was killed at the battle, effectively ending the power of the radical Hussite movement. Today, a memorial on the hill, constructed in the late 19th century, commemorates the Battle of Lipany. The memorial has some interesting inscriptions and the site is definitely worth visiting, if touring the area by car.
• In addition to the medieval sites around Kouřim, there is a well regarded outdoor museum of folk architecture on the edge of town. The museum has fourteen reconstructed and relocated buildings dating from the 18th century onwards. The museum is actually a good starting point for a tour around town and then a circuit around Stará Kouřim (there are various education trail bords along the route).
• The suggested route is just over 7 km long, and is on easy footpaths on the hill and on asphalt pavements around town. There is around 130m of height to ascend-descend on the route. For refreshments, try the café on the main square or one of the pubs to be found on the side streets just off the square.

Note: click ‘Show on Mapy.com’  to go to a full screen version of the route directly on the mapy.com site. This can be used for on line navigation, saved or exported as a GPX file.

Directions

• Starting at the folk museum (there is a parking area and bus connections close by to Kolín and Český Brod), take the GREEN hiking trail in the direction of Kouřim nám.
• The main square is reached after 700m
• At the northwest corner of the square – there is a trail signpost – take the RED trail along a side street (direction Dobré Pole)
• After 200m just before reaching the main road, turn right to follow the footpath beside the well preserved medieval town walls
• Continue on the footpath for 600m until reaching the north entrance to the town, which passess through the Gothic Prague gate tower
• Follow the street through the gate to return back to the town square
• At the main square turn onto the YELLOW trail and follow this past the Church of St Stephen (note the small but peaceful town park is located just behind the church)
• Continue on the YELLOW trail downhill and over the stream using the road bridge. Immediately on the far side of the bridge begins the nature/educational trail around Stará Kouřim hill
• The trail around Stará Kouřim is circular marked with GREEN hiking trail markers and starts by going uphill to reach Lech’s Stone
• Follow the GREEN markers all the way around the 2.3 km trail – watching out for information boards along the way
• The trail returns to the road bridge below Kouřim. Return back to the start point on the outbound path
• Note – it is possible to walk to the Lipany battle field site from Kouřim center but it is not a partly exciting 6 km walk to the site – if travelling by car it is probably better to drive to the site (it has a small parking area close to the monument)