Smědčice: Chapel, History and Trails

Smědčice offers several distinct points of interest to help you plan your trip: St. Wenceslas Chapel and the archaeological site are in the village centre; the barrow cemetery is also part of the village’s history. Other attractions include the Chrást–Strašice cycling route 2153, the Kokotské rybníky nature trail between Smědčice and Litohlavy, and the railway bridge over the Klabava. You can choose between architecture, history, cycling and a trip to the ponds.

The Chapel and the History of the Village

St. Wenceslas Chapel is a small religious building in the Romantic eclectic style. Gothic, Baroque and Empire elements come together in the chapel, making it interesting for visitors who would like to see architectural styles from different periods in a single building. Its prominent position in the middle of the village green gives it a clear connection to the village centre. It is an immovable cultural monument.

The timeline of the village’s history also offers a precise point of reference: the first mention of Smědčice dates from 1243 and names Abraham de Zmedcich. The fortress should be distinguished from this: it was probably not founded until the beginning of the 16th century. It is mentioned in 1544 and 1550, and possibly in 1553; by 1581, it was already uninhabited and in ruins. This distinction in time helps avoid conflating the early mention of the village with the much later chapter of the fortress.

The archaeological site in the village centre includes a village and fortress site dating from the Middle Ages to the modern era. The Smědčice barrow cemetery is extensive and well preserved, and ranks among the largest and most significant in the region. This brings different scales together: the chapel as a single religious building, the archaeological site in the village centre and the extensive cemetery.

Trails to Kokotské rybníky and the Cycling Route

The Kokotské rybníky circular trail runs through the area around Smědčice and Litohlavy. It is 9 kilometres long, has 11 information stations, and is accessible on foot and by bicycle. The Kokotské rybníky nature trail runs between Smědčice and Litohlavy. You can reach it by train to Smědčice, followed by a 1.5-kilometre walk to the ponds. The two distances refer to different sections: 9 kilometres for the circular trail and 1.5 kilometres for the onward walk to the ponds.

For a cycling trip, the Chrást–Strašice route 2153 offers further useful details: it is 35 kilometres long and has 250 metres of elevation gain. A chapel in Smědčice is one of the sights along the route. The distance and elevation gain help with different planning questions; for the Kokotské rybníky circular trail, the 11 information stations and the option to travel on foot or by bicycle are additional points of reference.

The Railway Bridge over the Klabava

The riveted steel structure of the railway bridge over the Klabava consists of three separate inverted arches. The bridge near Smědčice is part of the Radnice–Chrást line. A wide path on the left bank of the Klabava leads to a point about 20 metres from the bridge; along the way, you can reach an observation peninsula. Check current trail conditions on site before making a detour.

Discover more destinations: Liblín, Skořice, Cekov, Plískov, Raková, Mešno, Litohlavy, Příkosice

For the broader travel overview: Rokycany District.