Zajecov – Monastery, art and historical architecture

Zajecov brings together two distinct themes to consider when planning a trip: the Augustinian Monastery of Svatá Dobrotivá, with its art and architectural history, and routes for cycling and hiking. The monastery is in the center of Zaječov. Upper Zaječov adds a chapel and preserved wooden buildings to the historical picture. Cycle Route 2252 also passes through Zaječov, while the “Za podbrdskými roubenkami” hiking route leads to Zaječov. So when looking for a hotel, you can make the focus of your stay depend on your cultural interests or preferred activity, rather than treating these themes as one and the same.

Monastery and art history

The Augustinian Monastery of Svatá Dobrotivá was founded in 1262 by Oldřich Zajíc z Valdeka. The main altar in the monastery church features the Rococo painting “Prosba Panny Marie k Oldřichovi z Valdeka,” completed by J. P. Molitor in 1745. The dates mark two different milestones: the monastery’s founding in 1262 and the painting’s completion in 1745. Thus, the monastery’s history and a specifically dated work of church art stand alongside one another as distinct cultural and historical themes. For those interested in culture, they bring together architecture, sacred history and painting in one specific place.

Historic architecture in Upper Zaječov

A chapel was built in Upper Zaječov before 1800, and original wooden buildings with vernacular architecture have also been preserved there. The chapel adds another historic building to the area’s sacred architectural heritage. The wooden buildings, by contrast, highlight preserved traditional forms of construction. In Upper Zaječov, you can therefore encounter two distinct aspects of the area’s architectural heritage: sacred architecture and vernacular wooden architecture. Together with the monastery and the Rococo painting, this offers a broader perspective on the cultural history of the place. If you would like to compare historic architecture with art history, the chapel and wooden buildings can be considered as separate subjects alongside the church and painting.

Cycling route and hiking destination

For active days, Cycle Route 2252 passes through Zaječov and into the Brdy Protected Landscape Area. The “Za podbrdskými roubenkami” hiking route leads to Zaječov. The two routes therefore relate to the town in different ways: Zaječov lies along the cycling route, while it is the destination of the named hiking route. This distinction can help you choose your activity: Zaječov is part of the cycling route toward Brdy or the destination of the named hiking route.

Plan cross-country skiing seasonally

A current map of cross-country ski trails in the Brdy Protected Landscape Area and Podbrdsko is available. Map availability and trail conditions vary by season; check both before your trip. The map’s geographic focus adds another planning consideration to the specific cycling and hiking routes connected with Zaječov. When looking for a hotel, you can weigh up your interests: the monastery, art and architectural heritage on one side, cycling and hiking routes on the other, while cross-country skiing offers a seasonal option.

Discover more destinations: Trubín, Hvozdec, Hýskov, Kotopeky, Jivina, Podbrdy, Otročiněves, Broumy

For the wider travel overview: Beroun District.