Žehuň: Birdlife, pond landscape and history

Žehuň offers two clear themes to consider when planning your trip: the Žehuňský rybník and the history of the village. The pond is the largest in the Central Bohemian Region and is 5.5 kilometres long. The church, ossuary, mill and archaeological remains offer insight into different chapters of the village’s history. This can help you decide whether you are primarily interested in nature and birdlife or historic buildings and landmarks when choosing your destination.

Žehuňský rybník and Natural Areas

The Žehuňský rybník is an important habitat for waterbirds. 145 bird species breed there, and more than 260 species have been recorded in total. These figures distinguish between breeding species and all recorded species. For nature lovers, this birdlife makes the pond an important part of a stay in the area.

Clear protection rules apply when planning your visit: for economic reasons, the pond may not be used for sports. To protect nesting birds, entering the shoreline and littoral vegetation is prohibited from 1 April to 31 July. Bear this seasonal restriction in mind if you are planning a visit during this period.

The Kněžičky National Nature Reserve near Žehuň protects thermophilous oak forests, steppe and forest-steppe habitats, and seasonally wet depressions. These habitats are home to rare and endangered plant and animal species. The blue-marked Kolín–Žehuň–Rožďalovice hiking trail, together with unmarked field and forest paths, provides partial access to the Kozí hůra Natura 2000 site. Check the trail markings and conditions before hiking.

Church, Ossuary and Local History

The present-day Church of St. Gothard was built between 1753 and 1762. It belongs to the East Bohemian, or Hradec, Late Baroque artistic circle of František Kermer. The municipal notice dated 8 April 2026 states that the church and ossuary are temporarily closed. Check current access arrangements before planning a visit.

The Žehuň ossuary was built in 1765–1766 to respectfully house bones from graves in the old cemetery; it also served as a mortuary. Inside, human bones are arranged decoratively in a U shape. This history and distinctive arrangement give the ossuary a special place in the village’s history, although access should be checked before visiting.

The statue of St. John of Nepomuk stands near the school. It was made by František Richter of Hořice and replaced an earlier, deteriorated statue in 1832. The Václavíkův mill is also listed as an immovable cultural monument of the Czech Republic; its number in the central register is 50199/2–4425.

A Celtic settlement in Žehuň was permanently inhabited from the 6th to the 1st century BC and covered about 12.5 hectares. Another historic site is the Na Zámečku fortification: its remains now lie at the bottom of the Žehuňský rybník. They become visible when the pond is drained before fish harvesting, and are harder to make out with each passing year. Their visibility therefore depends on the pond being drained.

Dated Events

The second ŽeRUN race took place on 11 May 2025 near the cemetery. The programme included 5- and 10-kilometre races as well as children’s races. If you would like to include a future edition in your travel plans, check the dates in the municipal calendar.

Discover more destinations: Týnec Nad Labem, Drahobudice, Tatce, Dobřichov, Třebovle, Dolní Chvatliny, Tuchoraz, Malotice.

For the broader travel overview: Okres Kolín.