Petkovy: Local History and Čížovky Nature Park

Petkovy brings together local history and a protected historic building with the nearby Čížovky Nature Park. The municipality consists of the districts of Petkovy and Čížovky. This offers a range of points of interest for planning a trip: historic place names, the cultural monument “Sýpka – bývalá tvrz” and a landscape of forests, meadows and ponds. A cycling route also passes through Petkovy. The village therefore appeals to visitors interested in culture, nature and cycling alike.

History of the Two Districts

Čížovky was first mentioned in 1382 under the name “Čížová” (“villa Czizowa”) as a possession of the Archbishopric of Prague. Petkovy has been documented in written sources since 1393. The settlement was originally called “Petkov”; the name derives from the personal name Petko, a diminutive of Petr, and meant “Petko’s courtyard”. In 1556, Petkovy belonged to the Březno estate. These details bring together different historical aspects: an early mention linked to ownership, the linguistic origin of the name Petkov, and later affiliation with an estate. Today, the two districts are part of one municipality, but their older names and historical dates differ.

The Sýpka Cultural Monument

Petkovy is home to the building “Sýpka – bývalá tvrz”, protected as an immovable cultural monument. It is a granary in a farmstead, with remnants of a former fortress. The name itself brings together both aspects: “Sýpka” means granary, while “bývalá tvrz” refers to the former fortress. This provides a tangible point of reference for local history, going beyond dates: the building can be understood both as a granary and through the traces of its older fortifications.

Čížovky Nature Park and Cycling

Čížovky Nature Park lies near Petkovy and covers 386 ha. Its landscape includes wooded areas, small groves, old fruit trees, meadows and ponds. A cycling route passes the nature park between Petkovy and Lhotky. The protected building in Petkovy and the park’s landscape offer different things to discover: one focuses on a single cultural monument, the other on a wide area with a variety of landscape features.

A cycling tour described here is 22.1 km long and passes through gently rolling, wooded countryside. It runs from Dolní Bousov along Route No. 8148 to Rohatsko and Svobodín, then along Route No. 8147 through Petkovy, Lhotky, Kobylnice and Ledce to Jabkenice. The distance refers to the full route. The places listed provide a clear guide to its course; Petkovy is one section of a longer route between Dolní Bousov and Jabkenice. Before setting out, it is advisable to check the current route and the condition of the paths.

Tradition on 30 April

A traditional local custom is the burning of witches on 30 April at the sports ground. For the 2026 event, the description mentions a lantern procession from the local shop to the sports ground, starting at 6 pm. This date-specific cultural event adds another point of interest alongside the local history and landscape. Visitors interested in local traditions will find a concrete event to look forward to during the year.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Ptýrov, Krásná Ves, Rokytá, Řitonice, Jabkenice, Chotětov, Krnsko, Skorkov.

See the broader travel guide: Mladá Boleslav District.