Discover Knovíz: History, Legends and Events

Knovíz leads from a church history dating back to the 14th century through Bronze Age archaeology and a local legend to events connected with fairy tales and motorsport. These contrasting facets give the place a distinct cultural profile and offer several reasons to explore the municipality’s history and present day.

All Saints’ Church and Historical Traces

The history of All Saints’ Church in Knovíz dates back to the 14th century. The church contains a functioning historic organ from the late 19th century, which is still used during services today. Thus, a single building brings two clearly dated traces into focus: the church’s long history and the organ’s continued use.

Archaeology of the Knovíz Culture

The Knovíz culture emerged in the Late Bronze Age as a legacy of the Tumulus culture. The eponymous site of the Knovíz culture in Knovíz is a Category I archaeological area. In addition, the Bronze Age archaeological settlement of Knovíz lies on the western edge of the municipality; there are no visible above-ground traces of the terrain there. For travel planning, this focus means that archaeology is encountered here both as the history of a culture and as the subject of a settlement whose historical presence is not indicated by visible structures.

Husova kazatelna and a Local Legend

Husova kazatelna is a rock formation in Knovíz. According to local legend, Jan Hus used it on his journey to Constance to preach to the inhabitants. The site thus connects a specific rock formation with a handed-down episode involving Jan Hus, while the legend remains identifiable as such.

“S čerty jsou žerty”: A Fairy-Tale World in the Forest

Knovíz hosts the annual devil-themed event “S čerty jsou žerty”, which attracts several thousand people every year. The event creates a devilish setting in a forest near a rock formation. Visitors pass through a devilish entrance gate and enter a fairy-tale world with devils and characters from the well-known fairy-tale film “S čerty nejsou žerty”. This creates an event format that combines a forest setting, a rock formation and the world of the fairy-tale film.

Jízda do vrchu Knovíz–Olšany

The traditional Jízda do vrchu Knovíz–Olšany is also part of the area’s event profile. It will take place in Knovíz on 27 June 2026 and is organized by Orion klub Slaný. Every year, it attracts owners of historic cars and motorcycles as well as spectators. Its tradition goes back further: the first Knovíz–Olšany hill-climb race took place in 1924, and in 1925 the race had national significance. After a long interruption, the tradition was revived in 1989.

More Destinations for Your Travel Planning

For further research, you can also compare Hořešovičky, Klobuky, Zlonice, Želenice, Neprobylice, Cvrčovice, Třebíz and Hospozín.

For the higher-level travel overview: Kladno District.