Kounov: Stone Rows, Chapel and Paths through the Landscape

Kounov combines an exceptional landscape with traces of archaeology, pilgrimage and regional history. At its centre are the Kounovské kamenné řady: fourteen regular rows of erratic boulders weighing up to several tonnes, set on a wooded highland at the boundary between the Louny and Rakovník districts, at an elevation of 526 metres.

Stone Rows, Exhibition and Educational Trails

The Kounovské kamenné řady were discovered in 1934 by the local teacher Antonín Patejdl. The exhibition about the stone rows presents rare documents: the first published article about the rows from 1934, the oldest known photograph from 1936 and drawings of their archaeological investigation from the 1970s. This gives the visit a clear historical dimension in addition to the impression made by the landscape.

The Naučná stezka Kounovské kamenné řady has existed since 1987, has eleven stations and is 4.3 kilometres long. The Špičák educational trail route begins at the exhibition about the Kounovské kamenné řady in Kounov. For planning purposes, this allows you to distinguish between a route with designated stations and a closer exploration of the documented stone-row area.

Chapels, Church and Regional History

The Chapel of svatého Vojtěcha lies about 1.5 kilometres north of Kounov on a marked hiking trail from Kounov to the Kounovské kamenné řady. There is a covered rest area with benches and tables by the chapel. At the same time, it is an important pilgrimage site at the transition between Rakovnicko, Žatecko and Lounsko.

In the village, the Church of sv. Víta has a probably Romanesque nave joined by a Gothic chancel dating from around 1400. The Svatovojtěšská pouť takes place every year on the first Sunday after 23 April, the feast day of Saint Adalbert. Natural history is also part of Kounov’s range of themes: Trissolepis kounoviensis is considered the best-known representative of Kounov’s Palaeozoic fauna and was discovered by Antonín Frič in the 1870s.

Landscape Around Kounov

The ruin Zřícenina Pravda is located in the immediate vicinity of Kounov. Mount Džbán and Mount Loustín are located in the surroundings of Kounov. The hill Pískový vrch [Kounov] lies in the immediate vicinity of Kounov. In the wider regional surroundings are Pozdeňský les [Mšec], recorded as a mountain, the Svatý Prokop monument and the ruins of Týřov. The Church of U Svatého Gotharda is also located in the surroundings of Kounov. This allows you to distinguish between nearby activities centred on the stone rows and chapel and broader cultural and landscape topics.

Further Places for Your Research

If you would like to compare other destinations in addition to Kounov, here are the direct links to the places: Srbeč, Sýkořice, Hořovičky, Velká Chmelištná, Krivoklat, Svojetín, Bdín and Pustověty.

For the higher-level travel overview: Okres Rakovník.