Čenkov: Forests, the Litavka and Regional History

Čenkov combines a forested landscape with visible traces of regional history. The village lies amid the Brdy forests on the edge of the Brdy Protected Landscape Area (CHKO Brdy), while the Litavka flows through Čenkov. This allows you to focus your travel planning on two different themes: nature and the riverside on the one hand, and culture and history on the other.

Landscape along the Litavka

The Litavka shapes the village through more than just its course. Within the municipality of Čenkov, its riverbed is reinforced with stones in places. Three weirs regulate the river’s flow, and three bridges cross it. These specific features make the riverside a clearly tangible part of the local landscape and provide additional points of reference as you explore.

The Brdy forests are also an integral part of Čenkov’s character. For a trip where landscape and culture are both given room, the village therefore offers various themes to consider when planning your daily activities. Road II/118 runs directly through Čenkov and adds to this spatial orientation.

Religious Architecture and Industrial History

One of the notable cultural landmarks is the Chapel of St Anthony of Padua. It is a historicist, longitudinal, single-nave religious building with an integrated prismatic tower on the south side. Its distinctive architectural form offers a clear way to approach the history of the village, even if you want to combine different interests within your travel group during your visit.

Čenkov’s development is also connected with metalworking. Bílá Huť was already a hammer mill at the beginning of the 15th century and later developed into the Čenkov industrial complex. Construction of a blast furnace began in Čenkov in 1719. Together, these details trace a development from early craftsmanship to a larger industrial context.

Monuments in Čenkov

Another visible landmark is the monument to Master Jan Hus. It was ceremonially unveiled in 1930 and is now located in the park in front of the new municipal office. The monument is therefore associated not only with a specific year but also clearly situated within the village’s present-day landscape.

The monument at V zabitém in Čenkov takes you further back into history. It stands at the site of the battle on 8 September 1422 between the Hussites from Příbram and the army of Hanuš of Kolovrat. The monument at the V zabitém battlefield stands to the right of Road II/118 from Příbram to Jince. This location helps you place the historical landmark geographically without separating the memory of the event from the road.

View of Kuchyňka

In the vicinity of Čenkov, the municipality recommends Kuchyňka, a 635-metre-high peak in the southwestern part of the Hřebeny. Together with the adjacent Malý vrch, its narrow, sharp ridge is considered an area offering beautiful views. Kuchyňka is therefore a separate landscape focus for your planning. If you are looking for accommodation, you can use these different themes to decide whether the local history of Čenkov or an excursion into the surrounding landscape should be the main focus.

More Places for Your Research

If you would like to compare Čenkov with other places as well, here is a compact selection: Dublovice, Suchodol, Prčice, Obecnice, Modřovice, Háje, Jablonná and Velká Lečice.

For the overarching travel overview: Příbram District.