Kotenčice – Chapel, Ponds and Milling History

Kotenčice combines history, bodies of water and local events into a diverse destination in the Czech Republic. If you are looking for a place where the landscape and local history can be understood through specific points of interest, start with its location below Velký Chlum (481 m) and the ponds in the village. The first written mention of Kotenčice dates back to 1382; at that time, the Buková estate administered the fields.

The location below Velký Chlum thus combines a clear elevation reference with the history of the village. Together with the ponds, this creates a village landscape where terrain, water and the former cultivation of the fields come together within a small area.

Landscape and Character of the Village

There are three ponds in the area of Kotenčice, and they also shape the village landscape. Náveský rybník is a pond or small water reservoir in Kotenčice. Water and the settlement therefore form an immediate part of orientation in the village. At the same time, the original agricultural character of Kotenčice changed in the 1950s. A small proportion of the inhabitants work in agriculture.

Chapel in the Centre

A chapel stands on the village square in the centre of Kotenčice. The present chapel was consecrated on 19 October 1941 after the older chapel had been demolished for safety reasons. Inside, it is decorated with a triptych of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. It is flanked by depictions of Saint Wenceslas and Saint Ludmila. The village square therefore provides a clear cultural reference point for exploring the village.

Prostřední mlýn and Náveský rybník

The Prostřední mlýn mill is located below Náveský rybník and 200 m south of the chapel in Kotenčice. Milling operations probably ended as early as the 18th century. The distance of 200 m makes the chapel a second fixed reference point for locating the mill. The mill thus combines a clear connection to the village with the memory of a long-discontinued use.

Travel, Orientation and Events

Kotenčice can be reached via a class III road and has bus services. A virtual tour of the village is also available for initial orientation. Local events include the burning of the witches and Children's Day. They also include an entertainment programme for the pilgrimage and social gatherings at the parish feast. The various festivals add a social dimension. They range from Children's Day and the burning of the witches to the pilgrimage and parish feast, complementing the quieter features of the village with communal occasions.

Choose Accommodation in Kotenčice

The village square with the chapel, Náveský rybník and the Prostřední mlýn mill serve as neutral reference points in the village. For further travel planning, you can also view Drahlín, Háje, Chouzava, Drahenice, Věšín, Kňovice, Svaté Pole and Petrovice.

For the higher-level travel overview: Příbram District.