As the largest of the Czech Republic’s three historical lands, Bohemia is filled with amazing places. Central Bohemia is home to the popular capital – Prague. The west is known for its famous spa towns, and the south for its fairytale castles.
Heading east you’ll find spectacular nature and charming, slow paced villages. From the giant mountains of Krkonose National Park to the picturesque Litomysl Castle, there’s tremendous amounts of beauty.
I could sit down for hours and talk about all the unique and wonderful things I’ve done throughout the region. Instead, I’ll try and convey some of those thoughts into written words about a specific place. I’ve decided to focus on one of East Bohemia’s lesser known treasures – Neratov.
It’s a tiny village that I’ve become enamored with. It’s just so much different than anywhere else I’ve been in the Czech Republic. That’s why I felt the need to share it with you.
Here is why I think you need to visit Neratov, East Bohemia’s hidden gem!
The Unique Neratov Church
The Neratov Church, also known as the Assumption Of The Blessed Virgin Mary Church, is in a word – unique. I don’t say this lightly, it’s unlike any church I’ve ever seen. That’s because of one simple architectural design, its dazzling glass roof.
Unlike the stained glass historical churches of Europe, the church takes on a modern approach to its construction. With a clean, aesthetically pleasing cover, the whole interior lights up from the sun.
It was in a state of decay until recently. During WWII, the building was hit by missiles and was meant to be demolished. However, in the 1990’s a restoration of the village started, leading to its biggest attraction’s survival.
There are a lot of very pretty churches to visit in the Czech countryside. Even so, if I had to recommend one, it would be Neratov Church.
Support The Amazing Work Neratov Is Doing With People Of Disabilities
I could’ve stopped the article at the popular pilgrimage site, but that would do injustice to the impact Neratov has on the country. The mountain village is one of the biggest support systems for people with disabilities in the Czech Republic.
In the village, you’ll notice impeccably cleaned facilities, walk through a lush garden, and most likely spend time in the pub. The majority of the jobs are done by those who might otherwise have difficulty in traditional work settings. Well over half the workers employed by the Neratov Association have disabilities, whether it’s physical or mental.
The rapid growth of the village, in both projects and tourism can be accredited to the workers and the association that helps support them. I was pleasantly surprised when I found this tidbit out, and it only helped to enhance my experience.
If you would like to know any more information about the Neratov Association and what they do you can click here.
Cross A Bridge Into Poland
Did you know that you can take a quick trip to Poland from Neratov?
I had no clue this was a possibility, and I guess until a few years ago it wasn’t. There’s a bridge down the street from the church with flags of both Poland and the Czech Republic. It allows you to saunter between the two countries. The idea was to restore a historic pilgrimage route.
There used to be an old stone bridge at the current site, but it was dismantled, leaving the two sides unabridged for around 75 years.
The excitement I had when I realized I could very easily walk between borders was…maybe a little overboard. But, you have to understand, this isn’t a normal thing for most citizens in the world. Europeans have had the opportunity to acclimate to this phenomenon for years.
Alright, alright, I’m done with the jokes. Now that I’ve thoroughly defended my joy for border crossing, I can move on to my next fascination with Neratov.
The Neratov Brewery
It just so happens that the new footbridge is directly next to a brewery. This might seem strange for a place that’s known for a religious site, but it just makes perfect sense for a Czech travel destination. Beer is such a large part of the culture. After all, the country is the birthplace of pilsner.
Like most things in town, the Neratov Brewery was planned out by the aforementioned Neratov Association. It’s quite small, but produces a nice range of different beers. When I was visiting, they were serving beverages in take away cups. This allowed customers to enjoy their drink while wandering over the bridge to Poland (that’s exactly what I did)!
Not many breweries give the option of drinking a cold beer while walking between two countries. It truly felt like a rare and exclusive experience.
It’s A Perfect Starting Point To Hiking In The Orlicke Mountains
To the west of Neratov are the beautiful Orlicke Mountains (Eagle Mountains), making it the perfect starting point for hikes in the region. The mountain range is known for its beautiful forest and views of Poland.
There’s an abundance of different trails throughout the park, including a route to the peak of Orlicke Hory. The paths and walkways here are in great condition and are well marked. This area also has wonderful cycling paths and the range can mostly be navigated by mountain bike.
If you’re trekking by foot, you’ll notice wild berries growing from the bushes along the trails. Also, don’t be surprised if you find some Czech’s foraging for mushrooms (the edible kind). I feel like this is one of those things everyone here learns growing up.
Personally, I don’t trust myself with fungi knowledge, it just seems too easy to pick a poisonous one. I’d suggest leaving that to the professionals. Of course, this all depends on the season.
There is one thing you’re bound to see hiking in the Orlicke Mountains – bunkers.
The Forest Bunkers From WWII
Dug into hills and sprinkled strategically throughout the forest, the WWII bunkers in the area are a spectacular sight.
You’ll find yourself walking down roads, concrete buildings blending in with trees on each side, feeling like you’re in a post apocalyptic tv series. Moss covers the walls and vivid green plants grow from cracks in the bunkers. Trees grab the outer barrier like tentacles from a deep sea monster.
Okay, that’s a bit of an exaggeration. But, they’re an extremely cool mix of history and nature converging together as one. Outside of most, you’ll find informational signs, giving details about their past creation. The largest of those, Tvrz Hanicka, even doubles as a heritage museum.
If you’re looking to explore rugged nature and combine it with historical learning, this is the spot for you. I thought after visiting Albania, a country with tens of thousands of bunkers, I’d get sick of them. Yet somehow, I found these to be hauntingly beautiful and downright extraordinary!
The time I spent in the small border village will forever stick with me. With its stunning church, positive vibes, and its gorgeous surroundings, Neratov is a place with tremendous qualities. When you’re in East Bohemia, don’t forget to visit its hidden gem!
