Vlkava: Baroque Castle, Local History and Pond Landscape

Vlkava Between History and Landscape

Vlkava combines local history, a pond landscape and several route connections. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay in Vlkava, you can plan your trip around whether historical landmarks, the landscape or trails are your main focus.

History and Historical Landmarks

Vlkava was first mentioned in 1046; the Baroque castle was built in 1736. These dates represent different historical reference points: the early mention of the village and the construction of a specific Baroque building. More recent local landmarks include a reconstructed wayside shrine bearing an image of Jesus Christ and a statue of Saint John of Nepomuk. The wayside shrine was unveiled on 28 September 2024, and the statue was blessed on 20 November 2021. These were different events: the shrine was unveiled, while the statue was blessed. The former beer production also adds to the local history. Both pale and dark beer were brewed at Vlkava’s historic brewery; both varieties are part of the former brewing tradition.

Vlkavský Pond and the Protected Oak

Vlkavský Pond lies immediately west of Vlkava. Its water surface covers 20 ha, its retention capacity is 320,000 m³, and the pond is also used for fish farming. Water surface and retention capacity describe different quantities: hectares measure area, while cubic metres measure volume. This distinguishes the extent of the body of water from its retention function; fish farming is another stated use.

A protected English oak (Quercus robur L.) stands at the western end of the pond. Its recorded height is 23 m and its trunk circumference is 545 cm. The height measurement is described as significantly overstated; this caveat applies to the stated height. The tree provides another landscape feature at the western end of the water, while the measurements and protected status are separate details about the oak.

Cycle Route, Hiking Trail and Navigation

The Taxis cycle route runs between Čachovice, Vlkava and Patřín along the course of a former sugar railway. Its route is therefore defined both by the three villages and by the former railway line. The historical connection to the sugar railway distinguishes this route description from a simple list of places.

A red-marked hiking trail runs along the edge of Vlkava and leads from Milovice via Všejany, Loučeň, Jabkenice and Staré Hrady to Mladějov. For the cycle route, the former sugar railway helps identify its course; for the hiking trail, the red markings and sequence of named places are useful reference points. The two routes therefore differ both in activity and in their described courses. On the hiking route, note that it runs along the edge of Vlkava rather than assuming it passes through the village centre.

Čachovice railway station is 1.5 km from the centre of Vlkava and is located within the cadastral area of the municipality of Čachovice. The distance refers to the centre of Vlkava, while the cadastral detail places the station within the area of the municipality of Čachovice. These are different geographical reference points to help you find your way.

Discover more destinations: Obrubce, Žerčice, Horní Bukovina, Březovice, Písková Lhota, Josefuv Dul, Strenice, Řitonice.

For the broader travel overview: Mladá Boleslav District.