CZ: Hořiněves - A War Eye Witness

The locality of Hořiněves is placed in Hradec Králové Region, in north-west distance from Hradec Králové. The village is consisting from several parts, such as: Hořiněves, Žiželeves, Želkovice and Jeřičky, where approx. 706 inhabitants are living. The village does not miss the essential civic equipment, i.e. elementary school and kinder-garden, health centre, post office, shops and a pub. Further, you can find there two libraries, enabling free entry to internet. The citizens are united in several clubs and associations, including two commitees of voluntary firemen, huntsmen association, senior club and Sokol - gymnastic union.

Hořiněves

The first message of the community is dated to 1238, mentioning that Zbraslaw, a waiter of King Wenceslas I. had his property there. In Dalimil Chronicle, Hořiněves is mentioned in connection with a struggle against Germans, where Mister Mutin of Hořiněves fought in heroic way. In 1384, St. Prokopius Church of Gothic style started to be built. However, the church was completely destroyed by Hussite troops. Later, in 1707, an Earl Ferdinand Leopold Špork, let to built there new church of Baroque style, which was preserved till now and became a village dominanta. Inside walls of this church, you can see cannon-balls, walled up there. In the surroundings, various tombs and monuments from Prussia-Austrian War of 1866, are to be found. The community is situated in monumental area of battle-field from this war.

A castle of Baroque style belongs to another dominanta of the locality. The opinions regarding its creation are different. Some historical sources inform that this Gothical stronghold in Hořiněves was built just in 1280, whereas another sources state that only the courtyard  existed there at that time period, and the stronghold was constructed in the second half of 14th century, or even at the beginning of 15th century. In 1634, the owner of Hořiněves, Adam Trčka of Lípa, was murdered. Shortly afterthat, a confiscation of his property was effected, and consequently, Hořiněves became an ownership of Matthias Gallas. However, during following time period, the stronghold was completely plundered and burnt out by Swedish troops. In 1661, Frank Ferdinand Gallas started with reconstruction, and the building was changed to a castle of Baroque style. In 1674, the castle was sold to Earl John Spork. He effected another reconstruction. Later, in 1790, Charles Spork sold this dominion to Emperor Joseph II.

As far as the other monuments are concerned, it is necessary to mention St. John Nepomuk statue and St. Frank Pauly statue. Both sculptures, as well as a castle, V. Hanka Museum and a monument, reminding War of 1866, are registered in a survey of national culture monuments.

Hořiněves is a birthplace of Václav Hanka (1791-1861), an important Bohemian patriot, philologist, poet and  the first librarian of Bohemian Kingdom´s Museum. In 1817, V. Hanka „found“ in St. John Baptist Church in Dvůr Králové so called „Manuscript“.

So, V. Hanka birthplace house is placed in the community. In its neighbourhood, poet´s monument (work of 1890) is placed, a work of sculptor Mořic Černil. This house presents a model example of carpentered people´s architecture of 1720.

In the village, Nature Reservation Bažantnice (Pheasantry), with medioeval well is located. In south-east direction from the community, memorable Hořiněves linden-trees are spreaded. The trees are more than 500 years old. Within a war in 1866, among Prussians and Austrians, the trees destined a direction for proceeding of the 2nd Prussian army. As a reminder, you can see there a monument of Austrian 57th foot-regiment.

Žiželeves

This village quarter was mentioned for the first time in 1355, in connection with a church, the patrons of which there were Jiří Hustiřan and his brother, Jan of Hořice. In 1425, the church was destroyed by Hussite troops. Later, the bulding was reconstructed, and, after big fire (which outbursted in 1769) was taken to pieces again. Within 1769-1777, new St. Nicholas Church, of late Baroque style, was built. It is a work of František Kermer, (Hradec Králové native, one of most important local artists). At present, the church is registered in a survey of central cultural monuments. As far as the other sightseeings are concerned, it is a small cross, placed in the centre of the community, which undergone careful reconstruction in 2010. In the environs, Vřešťov Pond is located.

Želkovice and Jeřičky

In these village-quarters, preserved original farmers and country mansions are placed. Except of these, you can find there monuments of local importance - such as wooden bell-tower and  Crucifixion monument (erected before 1773, and replaced with new version in 1903, including sandstone footing). Local people have available private shop offering mixed foodstuffs and firemen arsenal.

Jeřičky is a village, scarsely inhabitated. Most of houses is being used as weekend relax houses. In the outskirts, there are forests, rich on mushrooms, forest animals and birds.

Text: Maxim Kucer

Photo: Horineves.cz