Cetoraz: St. Wenceslas Church, Deym Crypt and Ponds

Cetoraz offers two distinct focuses for planning a trip: architectural and local history around St. Wenceslas, the Deym Crypt and the Chapel of St. John of Nepomuk, as well as ponds and wooded surroundings. When planning a stay, you can consider whether historic buildings or outdoor activities better suit your interests.

St. Wenceslas: Location and history

At the eastern end of Cetoraz, St. Wenceslas Church stands on a slight rise, by the road near the village square. Its position on the rise and near the village square gives you clear reference points for locating St. Wenceslas in the village.

Together with the rectory and its grounds, the church is protected by law as a historic monument. This means the protection extends beyond the church building itself to include the rectory and grounds.

The originally Gothic church was built in 1350; the older bell, Václav, which belongs to the church, was cast in 1512. These dates therefore refer separately to the building and the bell.

The Deym Crypt and other chapels

The Deym Crypt was built in 1821 after the death of Christina Deym, in the local cemetery in Cetoraz. The year 1821 is the construction date; Christina Deym’s death provides the historical context.

The crypt is a Neoclassical, brick-built, rectangular chapel with a deep niche framed by engaged columns. Set into the niche is a stone tombstone bearing the combined Brady–Deym coats of arms. The term “combined coats of arms” refers to the joining of heraldic emblems.

Neoclassical describes a style influenced by classical models. Engaged columns project only partly from the wall and frame the niche; the style and the form of the niche can therefore be considered distinct architectural features.

St. Wenceslas is originally Gothic, while the Deym Crypt is Neoclassical; the construction dates, 1350 and 1821, also distinguish the two buildings. Another chapel dedicated to St. John of Nepomuk is located in Jánsku in Cetoraz.

Ponds and hiking opportunities

The Vodický potok forms a cascade of ponds used for recreational purposes. Together, they cover 22 hectares of water surface. This figure refers to the total water surface of the cascade, not the area of a single pond.

Ponds near Cetoraz offer opportunities for swimming. As local conditions and suitability may vary, check them before swimming.

The wooded surroundings of Cetoraz also offer opportunities for hiking. Alongside the water, this provides a separate focus for outdoor activities.

For your planning, the activities can be considered separately: hiking in the wooded surroundings or swimming at ponds near Cetoraz. If swimming, checking local conditions should be part of your planning.

Discover more destinations: Libkova Voda, Křešín, Kojcice, Křeč, Dobra Voda U Pacova, Chystovice, Proseč U Humpolce, Stojčín

For the broader travel overview: Okres Pelhřimov.