Discover Zalešany

The Chapel of Saint Ludmila in Zalešany was built in 1811; the stone road bridge over the Výrovka dates from the early 19th century. Together with the St. Francis wayside shrine, a stone memorial cross and the Zalešanské maďaly, these landmarks show different sides of Zalešany. They also make it possible to distinguish historic buildings, memorials and nature-related sites when planning a trip.

Chapel, Wayside Shrine and Memorial Cross

The brick St. Francis wayside shrine dates from around 1830 and bears a painted image of Saint Francis of Assisi. It was restored in 1992 and 2016. The area around it was also landscaped and benches were added during the 2016 restoration. The stone cross commemorates a farmer who was buried under timber on December 4, 1661. The dates highlight different things: for the wayside shrine, its creation and subsequent restoration; for the cross, a single accident from the 17th century.

The Stone Bridge over the Výrovka

The road bridge in Zalešany is a stone, two-arched bridge over the Výrovka dating from the early 19th century. A fragment of a millstone bearing the date 1863 and the initials “J. F.” is set into its eastern wall. A plaque beside it refers to a repair in 1927. The bridge therefore brings together three distinct historical points of reference: its construction date, the millstone inscription and the repair notice. The bridge is freely accessible; if access is important for your visit, check locally before you go.

Natural Landmarks and Walks

The Zalešanské maďaly are a group of two trees protected as natural monuments, planted around 1830. They stand on the western edge of Zalešany at a crossroads of unpaved tracks near “Na Františku.” The trees form a specific natural landmark; the surrounding landscape is gently rolling, with forests, meadows and fertile farmland. Walks in the nearby area offer an opportunity to relax. If you would like to include time outdoors as well as visits to historic buildings, you can make walks a second focus of your trip.

Changes Over Time

At the beginning of the 18th century, a tall stone tower with a pyramidal roof still stood in the farmyard as a remnant of the Zalešany fortress. The tower later disappeared too; its masonry was probably used for farm buildings on the estate. The Pečky–Kouřim railway line began operating in 1882 and gave development in Zalešany a boost: after that, the number of houses rose to 33 and the population to 216.

The Zalešany mill burned to the ground in 1914. The building that stands today was constructed that same year and has since been called Hamplův mlýn. Electricity was first introduced in Zalešany in 1920, initially to the estate and Hamplův mlýn. Together, these dates show changes to buildings and infrastructure across several successive periods in the town’s history.

Discover more destinations: Kšely, Masojedy, Jestřabí Lhota, Pňov-Předhradí, Doubravčice, Vrátkov, Mrzky, Uhlířská Lhota.

For the broader travel overview: Okres Kolín.