Benešov nad Ploučnicí

Benešov nad Ploučnicí

Benešov was founded in the second half of the 13th century in the valley of the Ploučnice River. It lies in the middle of beautiful nature, in a valley surrounded by forests at the mouth of the Bystré River, which flows into the Ploučnice River. The dominant feature of the city is the castle complex consisting of six castles with adjacent farm buildings. The nearby surroundings are suitable not only for hiking. Popular excursion destinations are located in the protected areas of the České středohoří Protected Landscape Area (PLKO), the České Švýcarsko National Park, the Labské pískovce Protected Landscape Area (PLKO) and the Lusatian Mountains. In Benešov nad Ploučnicí, the Ústí nad Ploučnicí cycle path was completed in 2013 by the Ústí nad Ploučnicí Region.

The city is surrounded by beautiful nature, it lies in a valley surrounded by forests, at the mouth of the Bystré river, flowing into the Ploučnice. Benešov was founded in the second half of the 13th century in the valley of the Ploučnice river. The dominant feature of the city is the castle complex consisting of six castles with adjacent farm buildings. The nearby surroundings are suitable not only for hiking. Popular excursion destinations are located in other protected areas: the České Středohoří Protected Landscape Area, the České Švýcarsko National Park, the Elbe Sandstone Protected Landscape Area and the Lusatian Mountains.   In Benešov nad Ploučnicí, the Ploučnice cycle path was completed in 2013 by the Ústí nad Labem Region.

What you should see

Castles – in Bešov   In Ploučnice a very significant complex of two separate castle complexes – the Upper and Lower Castles – has been preserved, to which we can also add   third document   unique Renaissance architecture, the adjacent parish church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. All three buildings are connected by the Meissen noble family of Salhausen, which came to Bohemia at the beginning of the 16th century and developed significant building activities here in the spirit of the Saxon Renaissance.

Konojedský dům – in the vicinity of both castles, other noble residences were also built. At the same time as the church, Bedřich of Salhausen had other noble palaces built, such as the Starchedelovský dům, later called Ballamský, and a smaller palace in front of the church, originally called Dubanský and later Konojedský dům. The greatest flourishing of Benešov n. Pl. is associated with the Sallhausen family.

Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary – built between 1483 and 1557 on a small hill in the northeastern part of the city. The late Gothic three-nave church with a longitudinally extending presbytery also included an older watchtower, part of the original city walls.

Marian Column – Baroque sandstone, standing on a prismatic base. It is 14.6 m high and dates from the year 1742.

The viewpoint on Sokolský vrch – is about 15 minutes from the square to the south, the building has a very interesting structure with elements of a viewing pavilion (220 m.a.s.l.). You can also reach the viewpoint by following the tourist sign from the railway crossing. The viewpoint is freely accessible.

Ploučnice cycle path – leads from Děčín to Starý Šachov, to the border with the Liberec Region. The green cycle path winds through the rugged and picturesque landscape around the Ploučnice River, whose meanders pass through the large-scale protected areas of the Ještěd Nature Park, the Lusatian Mountains Protected Landscape Area, the Kokořín region, the Bohemian Central Mountains and the Labe Sandstone Mountains.

You know that…

… the Benešov summer cinema, built in 1961, is the only one in the Děčín district still operational today? The screening months are June – September.

Where to go for sport

Those interested in sports can enjoy themselves in 3 buildings – Sokolovna and gyms in two buildings of the Elementary School. Sokolovna regularly hosts training sessions for climbers, aerobics, Zumba and many other activities. Both gyms at the Elementary School are fully used by local and cross-country athletes, with the exception of major holidays.

Tennis courts and a grass football field are also available. Almost all sports are sponsored by the Local Sports Club Benešov nad Ploučnicí.

The thermal swimming pool is very popular, and there is a beach volleyball court and an asphalt football pitch on the premises.

Where to go for culture

Municipal cultural facility – Municipal Cinema: a building from 1927 that has undergone several reconstructions. Since it was conceived as a so-called “cinema theater”, it has a deep stage that can accommodate larger theater or music groups. In addition to screenings (recent digitization), the cultural facility hosts the aforementioned theater performances, concerts, balls, exhibitions, and competitions.

Where to go on a trip

From Benešov nad Ploučnicí you can set off in all directions and you will never be disappointed. For shorter trips, we recommend a hike to one of the hills that protect the city from the elements, Táborský, Sokolský or Ostrý vrch. From Táborský vrch you will see the city from the north, from Ostrý vrch there is a beautiful view of the Ploučnice valley and on Sokolský vrch you will find the Ploučnice viewpoint with a view from the south. If you are more fit, you can continue along the cycle path on Ostrý vrch towards nearby Františkov nad Ploučnicí, where you will come across the ruins of Ostrý castle. However, you can also reach the ruins along the tourist route through the valley of the Ploučnice river, in the middle of which you will come across a natural waterfall with a mysterious cave. More fit individuals can hike to the settlement of Ovesná, which is part of the city, and enjoy the view of the entire Benešovská valley. Cyclists can try to ride their bike to the very horizon – this is the route of the very famous Hell of the North cycling race.

A walk through the historic center – A visitor who walks through the narrow streets of the historic center of the city will not miss the special atmosphere, given by the turbulent fates of the local inhabitants. The city was devastated several times in history by a devastating fire, the inhabitants were decimated by plagues, and to make matters worse, there were armies that occupied the city several times in a row, allowed themselves to be fed by the local settlers and destroyed whatever they could find. However, the human spirit is unbreakable and after each such blow, the city got back on its feet to give today’s residents a home and visitors an interesting excursion into times long gone by.