Otmíče: Archaeology at Otmíčská hora and the village chapel

Otmíče can be understood through two distinct themes: the archaeological site at Otmíčská hora and the Chapel of St. John of Nepomuk in the built-up part of the village. At the hill, the focus is on archaeology, rock and plants; at the chapel, it is on architectural form and its location in the village.

Otmíčská hora: Hill and Hillfort

Otmíčská hora is located in the Hořovická pahorkatina uplands. Its summit reaches an elevation of 401 m and forms a prominent landmark. The archaeological area of Otmíčská hora in Otmíče is classified as an important archaeological site (ÚAN I). This links the prominent high point with a clearly defined archaeological theme.

The small La Tène hillfort near Otmíče covers about 2.8 hectares. It consists of an acropolis and possibly outer baileys to the northeast and east; stone ramparts surround the site. The ramparts to the north and east are clearly visible and 4–5 m wide. The figures describe different scales: about 2.8 hectares refers to the area of the hillfort, while 4–5 m refers to the width of the ramparts. This makes it possible to distinguish the overall size of the site from the dimensions of its visible fortifications.

Rock, Quarry and Plants

The geological site of Otmíčská hora lies 500 m south of Otmíče and can be reached from the road via a walkable tourist trail. As trail conditions can change, check the current situation before your visit. The site features basalt rock. An abandoned dimension-stone quarry is located at the summit and on the steep southwestern and southern slopes.

Heat-loving plants of rocky steppes grow on Otmíčská hora, along with woodland plants of the hornbeam woodland vegetation on diabase. These plants add a botanical perspective to the geological features: alongside the rock and quarry, different plant groups are among the hill’s defining features.

Hiking Trail and Village Chapel

A marked blue hiking trail runs from Žebrák via Chlustina, Praskolesy and Otmíče to Lochovice. The sequence of places helps you locate Otmíče along the route. Check the current trail markings locally when planning your trip.

The Chapel of St. John of Nepomuk is located on the village square in the built-up part of Otmíče. It is a brick structure with a rectangular floor plan and a three-sided termination; a small bell turret rises from the roof ridge. The rectangular floor plan describes the basic shape, while the three-sided termination defines the shape of the building’s end. The bell turret adds a distinctive feature to the roof. In contrast to the areas and ramparts of the hillfort, the chapel draws attention to the material, floor plan and structure of a single building. Those interested in architecture will therefore find a different way to explore the features of the village than at the hill.

Discover more destinations: Olešná, Chlustina, Hudlice, Osek, Vysoký Újezd, Karlstejn, Svinaře, Zdice

For the broader travel overview: Beroun District.