Knovíz: History from the Bronze Age to the Church

Knovíz can be explored through different periods: from its Bronze Age cultural history and the Church of All Saints to recurring events. These topics offer different insights into the town. If you would like to plan your stay around them, it is worth distinguishing between historic sites, archaeological context, local legend, and specific event dates.

Knovíz and its archaeological history

The Knovíz culture emerged in the Late Bronze Age as a legacy of the Tumulus culture. The find site is also connected with the name of the culture: the eponymous site in Knovíz is classified as a Category I archaeological site. A visit therefore focuses both on a specific archaeological classification and on the history of the town itself.

The Bronze Age archaeological settlement of Knovíz lies on the western edge of the municipality. No visible traces of the terrain can be seen above ground there. The settlement’s significance is therefore understood through its chronological context and place in the town’s history, rather than through visible traces in the landscape. If you are interested in the Bronze Age, you can associate this settlement with the Knovíz culture without treating the two as identical: one refers to an archaeological settlement, the other to a Late Bronze Age culture.

The Church of All Saints and a local legend

The history of the Church of All Saints in Knovíz dates back to the 14th century. The church also houses a historic organ from the late 19th century. It is in working order and is still used for services today. This place thus brings together a long church history and a specific instrument that is still in use. If you would like to visit the church or hear the organ, check local access arrangements and service times in advance.

Another kind of history connects Knovíz with Husova kazatelna, a rock formation in the town. According to local legend, Jan Hus used the formation to preach to residents on his journey to Constance. This connection is explicitly part of the legend. It differs from the dated history of the church and the archaeological description of the Bronze Age settlement. Knovíz thus offers three distinct ways to explore the town: church history, archaeology, and local folklore.

Events with a distinctive setting

The devil-themed event “S čerty jsou žerty” is held annually in Knovíz and draws several thousand people. It is staged in a forest near a rock formation. The event therefore combines a distinctive setting with a clearly defined theme, rather than relying solely on a stage programme.

Visitors first pass through a devilish entrance gate and enter a fairytale world with devils and characters from the well-known fairytale film “S čerty nejsou žerty”. This sequence shapes the event experience: entering the created world is as much a part of it as the characters and the setting. If you would like to plan your trip around this annual event, check the specific event date in advance.

When planning, it is helpful to distinguish between the town’s lasting historical context and an event date. The church’s history and the archaeological context are historical topics; “S čerty jsou žerty,” by contrast, is an annual recurring event, and its specific date matters when planning a visit. This makes it easier to decide whether Knovíz’s history or the event experience should be the focus of your trip.

The Knovíz–Olšany hill climb in historical perspective

The Knovíz–Olšany hill climb has a history of its own. The first race took place in 1924; in 1925 it had national standing. After a long break, the tradition was revived in 1989. This chronology distinguishes the historical account of the race from any statement about a specific future event date. It also shows that the town’s history is not limited to archaeological and church-related topics, but includes a documented event tradition as well.

Knovíz therefore offers several different points of interest to help you decide on your trip: church history dating back to the 14th century, Bronze Age archaeological evidence, a local legend, and events with their own histories and distinctive settings. Depending on which of these aspects matters most to you, you can plan your stay accordingly and take the relevant date into account when visiting for an event.

Discover more destinations: Velké Přítočno, Neprobylice, Sazená, Jarpice, Klobuky, Svárov, Zichovec, Velvary

For the broader travel overview: Kladno District.