Kočov: Cultural Monuments and Village History

Kočov can be explored through several clearly distinct themes: the ruins of the Baroque pilgrimage Church of St. John the Baptist, archaeological classifications in the historic village area, the small bell tower on the village square, and a recurring events program. When planning your trip, you can consider whether monuments, community events, or the designated fishing grounds will shape your stay. The different themes span different timeframes: the church ruins have been protected since 1992, events recur annually, and the Mže 6 fishing grounds are designated for 2025 and 2026.

Church Ruins and Film History

South of Kočov in the Tachov region lie the ruins of the Baroque pilgrimage Church of St. John the Baptist. They have been protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic since 1992. The designation as a pilgrimage church describes the building’s religious character; its protected status adds a heritage-protection classification. In 2000, the ruins were transformed into “Hell’s Cave” and used as a backdrop for Z pekla štěstí 2, directed by Zdeněk Troška. Thus, a religious dedication, heritage protection, and a film story all come together at the same ruins.

Archaeological Classification

Kočov’s historic built-up area is classified as an important Category ÚAN I archaeological site. The site is assigned to the Late Middle Ages and the Modern Period—that is, two historical periods. In addition, the Kočov fortress grounds are among the archaeological features currently protected. The period classification places the site in time, while the status of the fortress grounds indicates their current protection.

The Bell Tower on the Village Square

The bell tower is a simple municipal bell structure on the village square. It consists of two wooden posts, has a pyramidal roof covered with wooden shingles, and a bell hanging beneath the roof. As a valuable small example of village amenities, it is dated to the second half of the 19th century. The roof shape and roofing material describe two different features: “pyramidal” refers to the shape, while wooden shingles are the covering.

Annual Events

The municipality of Kočov holds numerous events for children and adults every year. The annual program includes Children’s Days, a costume ball, and Masopust, as well as a May Day parade, a witch-burning event, a lantern procession, and a kite festival. The dates of individual events may vary. If you plan to travel for a particular event, check its specific date.

Mže 6 Fishing Grounds

For 2025 and 2026, the Mže 6 fishing grounds (FV Planá u Mariánských Lázní) are designated with a length of 16 km and an area of 16 ha. They extend from the weir at the Šturanický Mlýn mill in the cadastral area of Ošelín to the weir near the settlement of Ústí, close to the municipality of Kočov. The kilometer figure describes the length, the hectare figure the area; the named weirs add the endpoints to these measurements.

More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Zadní Chodov, Lom U Tachova, Částkov, Kříženec, Ošelín, Cebiv, Stříbro, Chodský Újezd

For the broader travel overview: Tachov District.