Na Vinici

Na Vinici is a modest but distinctive hill on the outskirts of Kolín, in Central Bohemia, rising to an elevation of 237 metres above sea level. It sits roughly 2 km northeast of the Kolín-Zálabí district, straddling the cadastral boundary between the town of Kolín and the neighbouring municipality of Tři Dvory, in an area known as the Středolabská tabule (Central Elbe Plateau). Locals treat it as a favourite walking destination and viewpoint, even though the hill's history is far stranger than its vineyard-referencing name suggests.

Where does the name come from?

The name "Vinice" (meaning "vineyard") already appears on maps from the first Josephinian military survey of 1777, referring to grapevines once grown on the hill's southern slopes. The winemaking tradition was revived in 1870 by František Horský, then owner of the Kolín manor estate, who planted a new vineyard here. The venture was short-lived: it disappeared again around 1877, leaving only the historic name behind.

From landfill back to landmark

The most surprising chapter in the hill's story unfolded in the 20th century. For several decades, until 1993/1994, a former sand pit on the hill served as Kolín's municipal landfill, complete with a constantly smouldering pile of waste. It was only in 1994 that a thorough land reclamation project transformed the site: the hill was reshaped into a regular form, fitted with a drainage system, covered with foil, and then topped with fertile soil and seeded with grass. That reclamation is what turned a former dump into the green, walkable hill visitors find today.

What can you see from the top?

The main draw of Na Vinici is the view. From its bare, treeless summit, a wide panorama opens across the Polabí (Elbe river basin) region, and on clear days the horizon reveals the Železné hory (Iron Mountains) along with the Krkonoše range and the distinctive peaks of Ještěd, Bezděz, and Říp. Few spots offer such a sweeping look across this part of Central Bohemia from a single vantage point.

In May 2015, the town of Kolín installed a covered rest shelter with a bicycle rack at the summit, making it easier for visitors to pause and take in the scenery.

Art on the hill

In 2019, Kolín launched a competition for an artistic redevelopment of Na Vinici, drawing 37 submitted proposals. The winning entry, "Stromová kaple" (Tree Chapel), is a spiritual-artistic installation blending architecture, art, and landscape design. Its planned realisation aims to give the hill a new symbolic dimension beyond its role as a simple viewpoint.

How to get there?

Na Vinici lies within easy walking distance of central Kolín and the Zálabí district, making it a straightforward target for a short walk or bike ride. Since the summit itself is bare of trees, it's worth bringing sun or wind protection — the only shelter available is the rest shelter mentioned above.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Na Vinici? The hill reaches an elevation of 237 metres above sea level.

Is there anything to see at the summit besides the view? Yes — since 2015 there has been a covered rest shelter with a bicycle rack, and an artistic installation called "Stromová kaple" is planned for the site.

Where does the name "Vinice" come from? From vineyards once cultivated on the hill's southern slopes — originally from the 18th century, and again from 1870 thanks to František Horský.

Is it true the hill used to be a landfill? Yes, for several decades until 1993/1994 the site served as Kolín's municipal waste dump before undergoing a thorough reclamation.