Čepí: Chapel, Finds and Local History

Čepí brings together clearly identified cultural and historical sites and finds with a range of activities. The Chapel of Our Lady of Mount Carmel stands in the village square; a bronze hoard was discovered in the Olšina fields, and further finds were unearthed at the brickyard. Brickmaking is also part of local history. This picture is complemented by the village’s inclusion in the cycling network of the Za Letištěm microregion association and by fishing competitions organized by the fishing club. If you are looking for a hotel, these themes can help you decide which aspects of Čepí best match the focus of your trip.

Chapel in the village square

The Chapel of Our Lady of Mount Carmel stands in Čepí’s village square and was built in 1871. The building is therefore tied to a specific place and has a documented date. If you are interested in a place’s history, these two details offer a clear starting point: they connect a named building with a particular year. The chapel can thus be seen as a distinct point of reference in local history, rather than simply as a general cultural topic. Its construction dates to the 19th century, providing a point of reference in time alongside the archaeological finds from other contexts.

Bronze hoard and finds from the brickyard

A bronze hoard was discovered in the Olšina fields near Čepí in 1881. It comprised two large bronze fibulae, 29 bronze arm rings and fragments of bronze ornaments. The precise composition makes the find tangible as a group of ornaments: alongside the two fibulae, the arm rings make up the largest named part by number, with fragments also present.

The finds from the brickyard differ in material, location and depth. Two mammoth molars were found there at a depth of seven metres, and part of a prehistoric deer antler at nine metres. The difference between the two depths and the two types of find gives you a concrete basis for comparison: the bronze hoard came from the Olšina fields, while the molars and the piece of antler are recorded as finds from the brickyard. In this way, metal ornaments and prehistoric remains emerge as distinct themes in the history of the village.

Brickmaking tradition and exhibition

The exhibition “Treasures from the History of Čepí” covers, among other topics, the local brickmaking tradition. The permanent exhibition was scheduled to open in the Čepí municipal hall from April 2021. If you would like to visit, check current access arrangements locally. Brickmaking forms a separate thread in local history alongside the chapel and archaeological finds: it focuses on the local production tradition, while the finds from the brickyard relate to specific objects unearthed there. These therefore complement one another as different aspects of local history without needing to be merged into a single narrative.

Geography and activities

The geography can also be pinpointed: the Dubanka stream flows through the built-up area of Čepí. This detail adds a spatial dimension of the village to its cultural and historical themes.

Čepí is part of the cycling network of the Za Letištěm microregion association. If you are planning a cycling trip, check the route details locally. The Čepí fishing club holds fishing competitions several times a year. If you are interested in taking part as a guest, ask in advance about a suitable date and whether participation is possible. These two activities involve different practical considerations: route details for cycling, and dates and participation for fishing.

How to plan a trip to Čepí

When choosing a destination, you can distinguish historical themes from activities. The chapel, bronze hoard, brickyard finds and brickmaking tradition offer different starting points for a trip focused on local history. Cycling and fishing competitions, on the other hand, require planning based on route details or event dates. If you are looking for hotels in Čepí, you can first consider which of these interests matters most for your stay; then check route details, dates and access to the exhibition as needed.

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