First mentioned in 1052 Dřevčice u Brandýsa nad Labem stands as a testament to time. It is a municipality in the Prague-East District. Its history stretches back almost a millennium. Today let’s step into the story of this village.
Imagine this. You are standing in Dřevčice. The year is 1052. The first written record of this village appears. Life here revolved around agriculture. The people were closely connected to the land. Fast forward to today. Dřevčice is a modern municipality. It still retains its historical charm.
Dřevčice’s location is quite interesting. It lies near Brandýs nad Labem-Stará Boleslav. This is along the old road from Prague to Mladá Boleslav. You see it is only about 3.5 km from Prague’s borders. The village sits on a large terrain step. This is where the Prague plateau transitions to the Elbe lowlands.
Notice the terrain north of the main road. It drops sharply into a valley. Locals call this “v Chobotech”. The Vinořský potok stream flows through this valley. It once had two branches. These created a large water area. This acted as a natural defense for Dřevčice.
The village initially grew around a fortress. Later development centered on the village square. This was around the Church of St. Bartholomew. A small pond near the Vinořský potok also played a role.
The main road II/610 runs through Dřevčice. This connects Prague-Vinoř to Brandýs nad Labem. The original village square with the church is now slightly off to the side. Most of the village amenities are along this road. You will find the town hall, school, kindergarten and a bus stop here. A pub and grocery store also serve the community.
On the southern edge towards Svémyslice lies a football field. There is also a children’s playground. The cemetery is nearby. The tower of the belfry dominates the village. Its presence is felt throughout Dřevčice.
In 1932 Dřevčice had 496 residents. A Catholic church served their spiritual needs. The village bustled with activity. There was a brickyard and an agricultural cooperative. Three inns provided refreshment. Two cartwrights and two blacksmiths plied their trades. Farmers cultivated the land. There was also a butcher. Seed company and two general stores served everyday needs. A tobacconist and a locksmith were also present.
Dřevčice boasts several cultural landmarks. The Church of St. Bartholomew is originally early Gothic. It was modified in the 18th century. The Dřevčice Fortress was rebuilt as a granary in the 18th century. The belfry near the road to Brandýs has three bells. A crucifix stands in the village square. Five niche chapels line the pilgrimage route. This leads from Prague to Stará Boleslav. They were built between 1674 and 1690. Seven properties in the village have cultural monument status.
Dřevčice borders several other municipalities. Podolanka is to the west. Brandýs nad Labem-Stará Boleslav is to the north. Zápy lies to the east. Jenštejn and Svémyslice are to the south.
Public transport is available. Suburban bus lines PID 367 and 375 stop in Dřevčice. These run between Prague and Brandýs nad Labem-Stará Boleslav. One night suburban line PID 603 also serves the village.
As you leave Dřevčice today consider its enduring spirit. From its humble beginnings in 1052 to its present-day life. Dřevčice remains a vibrant part of the Czech Republic.