Discover Ovčáry U Dřís: the Elbe, the lake and village history

Ovčáry U Dřís lies in the flat Polabí lowlands on the right bank of the Elbe. The village combines river landscapes, quiet wetlands and village history. If you would like to combine nature observation, walks through the landscape and small historical discoveries during your stay, Ovčáry offers several clearly distinct points of interest for doing so.

The Elbe Landscape and Jezero Křenek

The municipality lies in the central Polabí region within the Bohemian Table. At approximately 166 metres above sea level, the terrain is almost completely flat. Ovčáry lies in a moderately warm, dry district with mild winters. In the southern part of the cadastral area, sections locally transition into reed-covered wetlands as a result of the straightening of the Elbe during the First Republic. This landscape complements the open character of the Elbe riverbank with a distinctly different area shaped by water and reeds.

Jezero Křenek, a recreational lake with sandy beaches, is located nearby. It is surrounded by fields on three sides and by forest on the fourth. A small part of the lake extends into the cadastral area of Ovčáry. Visitors also refer to Jezero Křenek as Jezero Ovčáry. The lake complex is also home to the Water Ski Club. Around Ovčáry, riverbanks, wetlands, fields, forest and a lake thus form a range of contrasting landscapes.

Village Centre and Notable History

The area between the cross by the municipal office and the bell tower with its pond is regarded as the present-day centre of Ovčáry. Erected in 1881, the cross bears reliefs of saints carved into its sides. The bell in Ovčáry is considered the oldest in the surrounding area. Following the reconstruction of the bell tower, the original bell has been kept in the municipal office for fear of theft; a replica now stands in its original place. The memorial to the residents of Ovčáry who fell in the First World War was created by the stonemason Břetislav Vobořil from Kralupy.

The village’s agricultural character is also part of its appearance. Cucumbers, cabbage, onions and garlic were among the most important vegetable crops grown in Ovčáry. Historical memorials and regional everyday history thus meet the open landscape of the Polabí here.

Hiking, Cycling and Getting Around

A blue-marked hiking trail passes through Ovčáry. About 750 metres from the Na Kopě tourist signpost at the southern edge of the village, you can join cycle routes. Those who want to explore the surrounding area on foot or by bicycle will thus find different starting points for planning their day. Railway line 072 runs along the northern edge of Ovčáry towards Lysá nad Labem, Všetaty, Mělník, Děčín and Ústí nad Labem. The S32 line also operates on the railway connection serving Ovčáry, running along the Lysá nad Labem–Stará Boleslav–Všetaty–Mělník–Štětí route.

Depending on your focus, you can shape your stay around Jezero Křenek, the paths around the village, or the bell tower, cross and war memorial.

Discover More Places

For your further search, you can also explore Byšice, Vraňany, Kly, Tuhaň, Hořín, Tišice, Vojkovice and Dolní Beřkovice.

For the higher-level travel overview: Mělník District.