Chicory kiln in Bydžovská Lhotka, Agricultural drying facility in Bydžovská Lhotka, Czech Republic.

The chicory kiln in Bydžovská Lhotka is a massive brick building from 1912 on the northern edge of the village. It was used to dry cleaned, sliced chicory roots that were then processed into chicory coffee. Several characteristic chimneys served to ventilate the drying space. Although operation has ended, the building survives essentially in its original form.

The chicory kiln in Bydžovská Lhotka was built in 1912, when chicory growing had spread across the Čáslav, Nový Bydžov, Hradec Králové and Pardubice regions. Roots were first dried in brickmakers' kilns, which the brickmakers charged for, so dedicated drying buildings were later put up. Drying took place in wooden trays heated from below with coal or coke.

Chicory growing spread in Bohemia in the 19th century, notably around Čáslav, Nový Bydžov, Hradec Králové and Pardubice. Cleaned, sliced roots were first dried in brick kilns, which brickmakers charged for, so dedicated drying buildings were later built. Roots dried in wooden trays over coal or coke fires.

The brick building stands on the northern edge of Bydžovská Lhotka, where the village meets open fields. It is a rural structure with no visitor facilities, so bring water and suitable footwear. The building was still standing in essentially its original form as of 2021, but it is not open as a museum.

The building is a massive brick structure from 1912 whose many chimneys served to ventilate the drying space. Chicory roots were dried in wooden trays over coal or coke fires. The kiln closed long ago, yet by 2021 the building survived essentially in its original form.