Zvíkovec – Church, Castle and the Way of St. James

Zvíkovec between a Church, Castle and Historic Routes

Zvíkovec is associated with a significant parish church and a historically interesting castle; the Way of St. James and a riding route also pass through the town. This makes the town appealing both to those interested in culture and to travellers who would like to combine their days with a route on foot or horseback.

The Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary

The church was built in the mid-14th century and has been mentioned since 1350 as a parish church with its own pastor. It was originally Gothic. After being damaged by the Swedes, it was rebuilt in the Baroque style in the 17th century and remodelled again in the Baroque style in 1767. These successive construction phases make the church a particularly revealing testimony to the history of the town.

Its religious history also extends beyond the municipality. The church is highlighted as a notable attraction on the Way of St. James passing through Zvíkovec. It is also considered very likely that Jan Hus preached there in the summer of 1414 while staying at the nearby Krakovec Castle. For a stay focused on culture or spirituality, the church therefore offers several historical connections that can be directly experienced in the town.

Near the church stands a Baroque stone statue of Saint Francis Xavier from 1733. The statue is made of medium-grained sandstone, was reconstructed in 1854 and restored in 2004. West of the church is the Baroque parish house, which was originally a farmstead. František Kinský acquired it in 1769 for parish purposes, when the independent parish was re-established. Václav Krolmus lived there from 1832 to 1843. He is considered the founder of Czech archaeology as well as a collector of folk traditions and customs.

Zvíkovec Castle

The castle was built in 1735 on the site of an earlier fortress. At the end of the 18th century, it was expanded and transformed into its present form as a two-storey building with two wings forming an obtuse angle. For current visit planning, an important restriction should be noted: the castle is currently abandoned and closed to the public.

The Way of St. James, Riding Route and Berounka Bridge

The Way of St. James passing through Zvíkovec creates a different focus from the town's buildings. Those following a longer pilgrimage route encounter here a documented section of the way. For riders, a riding route of the Central Bohemian Region also passes through Zvíkovec. It begins on the green route in Křivoklát and ends at the mouth of the Javornice stream, where it connects to a red route. Through this connection, riders can join riding trails of the Plzeň Region near Bílov.

A specific facility for riders is located at the U Varských restaurant and campsite in Zvíkovec: a horse-tethering point is available there on a grassy area by the car park. The bridge over the Berounka was ceremonially opened in 1930 and connects the Rakovník District, the northern part of the Plzeň area and the Rokycany District. It is therefore also one of the town's prominent documented landmarks.

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The castle forms part of Zvíkovec's historical context, but is currently closed.

Other Places for Orientation

For further orientation within the same selection of places, you will find Terešov (Terešov), Smědčice (Smědčice), Osek (Osek), Němčovice (Němčovice), Všenice (Všenice), Mlečice (Mlečice), Kamenný Újezd (Kamenný Újezd) and Svojkovice (Svojkovice).

For the higher-level travel overview: Rokycany District.