Loket U Dolních Kralovic: History and Places of Remembrance

Loket U Dolních Kralovic lies near the D1 motorway between Prague and Brno. The colonization of Svatavina Újezd is a historical reference point; the village’s founding is dated to 1352. There are also local memorials and Farmstead No. 13 with its barn passageway. The cultural focus is thus spread across crosses, a memorial, and an architectural example, rather than being limited to a single attraction.

Origins and name

The origins of Loket are connected with the colonization of Svatavina Újezd. The village was founded in 1352. These two references answer different questions: the colonization places Loket in the context of settlement, while the year 1352 dates the founding of the village.

The village’s name also has a historical explanation: it may derive from an old road that curved like an elbow. This remains a possible, rather than certain, explanation of the name’s origin.

Crosses and remembrance

The “Dolejší” Cross stands above Loket. It was erected in memory of Václav Moravec. Its location above the village and its specific dedication combine a geographical reference with a personal remembrance.

The local crosses also include a fourth cross erected by Jan Turek and a fifth commissioned by the Bejček family in honor and praise of God. The crosses are distinguished by their respective donors and dedications.

The “Spálenkův” Cross was erected in memory of František. It commemorates a man who died after being run over by a wagon pulled by a startled bull. The names of those who fell in the First World War are inscribed on the memorial to the fallen. These places of remembrance have different emphases: alongside personal memorials is a monument that preserves the names of the fallen.

Farmstead No. 13 and Všebořice

Farmstead No. 13 has a passage through the barn into its courtyard. The shape of the gate suggests an 18th-century building. This brings together two different architectural clues: the passage describes the layout of the courtyard entrance, while the shape of the gate points to the building’s period.

Another trace of history can be found in Všebořice, another part of the municipality of Loket. There, the former fortress remained only as a ruin after the Thirty Years’ War. This history is thus specifically associated with Všebořice.

Walks in the local forests

The forests are also a possible focus during a stay: walks there are considered pleasant, and gathering wild forest fruits is another activity mentioned. Alongside historical memorials and architecture, time outdoors is thus a distinct focus. When planning your trip, you can consider Loket through a range of themes: its origins, remembrance, architecture, and activities in the local forests.

Discover more destinations: Soběhrdy, Smilkov, Vlašim, Rataje, Javorník U Vlašimi, Vracovice, Nespeky, Zlenice

For the main travel overview: Okres Benešov.