Chodov U Domažlic: Nature and Local History

Chodov U Domažlic lies on the slope of a ridge in the Český les, below the monument to Jindřich Šimon Baar near Výhledy. The cadastral area of Chodov also includes Čerchov; the Čerchovské hvozdy National Nature Reserve also extends into the cadastral area. Together, the hillside location, mountain and protected area form the town’s landscape setting. Local sights and the history associated with the Chodové also add to its appeal. You can therefore explore Chodov from both a landscape and a cultural-historical perspective.

Landscape and Nature

The landscape around Chodov is ideal for hiking and cycling. The Čerchovské hvozdy Nature Reserve has a special access rule: it is open to the public only on marked trails. If you plan to visit the reserve, follow the markings and observe the current signs on site. This requirement is essential to your plans whenever an outing takes you into the protected area. So check whether your planned outing enters the reserve; marked trails are mandatory there.

The cadastral area includes Čerchov, which, at 1,042 metres, is the highest mountain in the Český les. At the Chodovské skály rock formations, there is a wooden shelter with benches and a view of the summit of Čerchov. Two scales help you get your bearings in the landscape: the mountain’s elevation and the specific view from the rocks. The shelter and seating provide a practical spot to enjoy the view of the summit outdoors.

Sights and History

Chodov also has several distinct cultural points of interest. The Chapel of St. John the Baptist is one of Chodov’s sights and dates from around the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries. The monument to Master Jan Hus is another local sight. Two houses in Chodov are designated cultural heritage monuments. These points of interest take three different forms: a chapel, a monument to a historical figure and two houses with designated heritage status. The chapel’s dating provides an approximate point of reference for the group.

Chodov’s history is linked to the Chodové as border guards and to the Chod uprising of 1692–1695. This connection broadens the focus beyond individual buildings and gives the town’s history a clearly dated point of reference. Together with the chapel, dated to around the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries, this offers two historical details for comparison: an approximate period for a building and fixed dates for the uprising. This comparison presents architecture and historical events as distinct but related ways of exploring the town’s past.

Discover more destinations: Pivon, Všekary, Otov, Únějovice, Pařezov, Horsovsky Tyn, Újezd U Domažlic, Nový Kramolín

For the regional travel overview: Okres Domažlice.