Čepí: Chapel, Local History and Remarkable Finds

Čepí reveals its local history through very different traces: on the village square stands the Chapel of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, built in 1871; a bronze hoard was discovered in the Olšina fields in 1881; and mammoth molars and part of a prehistoric stag’s antler came to light at the brickyard. Čepí is also part of the cycling network of the Za Letištěm Microregion Association. This gives your trip two main themes: cultural and historical discoveries in the village, and planning a cycling tour whose route you should confirm locally in advance.

Chapel and Local History

The Chapel of Our Lady of Mount Carmel stands on the village square in Čepí and was built in 1871. Its firm connection to the village and its exact year of construction make it a tangible starting point for exploring local history. You can compare this architectural landmark with the stories behind the finds from Olšina and the brickyard: here, a building takes centre stage, while there, individual objects and prehistoric remains do. These different kinds of evidence offer several ways into the village’s history without reducing it to a single attraction.

Archaeological Finds and the Brickmaking Tradition

The bronze hoard discovered in the Olšina fields near Čepí in 1881 comprised two large bronze brooches, 29 bronze bracelets and fragments of bronze jewellery. Brooches fastened garments; together with the bracelets and other fragments, they give a specific picture of the different objects found. A brief mention of a hoard thus becomes a story involving several distinct types of artefact. For an understanding of Čepí, this discovery complements the chapel with objects found in the Olšina fields.

The brickyard adds a natural-history perspective. Two mammoth molars were found there at a depth of seven metres, and part of a prehistoric stag’s antler was discovered at a depth of nine metres. The types of finds and their depths distinguish the two discoveries: on the one hand, two molars; on the other, part of an antler. Alongside the bronze hoard, they offer another way to explore Čepí’s past. Comparing them keeps the different stories behind the finds distinct and brings the variety of local history to life.

The exhibition “Treasures of the History of the Village of Čepí” offers another perspective and includes, among other things, the village’s brickmaking tradition. It was planned to open as a permanent exhibition in the village hall from April 2021. If you are planning a visit, please check locally whether it is currently open. In terms of its subject, the brickmaking theme complements the finds from the brickyard: the exhibition focuses on brickmaking, while the stories behind the finds centre on the remains discovered there. The craft tradition and the finds thus show two different sides of local history.

Cycling and Choosing Where to Stay

Čepí is part of the cycling network of the Za Letištěm Microregion Association. This gives you a practical starting point for planning an active trip; confirm the route details locally before setting out. This allows you to consider cycling as a second focus alongside the cultural and historical sights. When looking for hotels in Čepí, it helps to first consider whether you want the village’s history to shape your stay or whether you plan to include Čepí in a cycling trip. In the latter case, confirming the route should be part of your plans.

Discover more destinations: Lázně Bohdaneč, Vápno, Horní Jelení, Kasalice, Starý Mateřov, Holotín, Bezděkov U Choltic, Lipoltice.

For the broader travel overview: Okres Pardubice.