Chotovice: Church, Views and Hiking Trails

Chotovice combines sacred culture, expansive views, marked trails and unusual local traditions. This makes the village suitable for travel planning that allows you to experience nature and cultural discoveries together rather than viewing them separately.

Church, Views and Local History

An important landmark is the Kostel sv. Prokopa. The church is a branch church of the Roman Catholic parish of Nové Hrady u Skutče and has been protected as a listed monument since May 1958. It stands at an altitude of 480 metres. From here, the view extends across the Litomyšl Basin to the Orlické Mountains; in favourable weather, Sněžka is also visible.

There are two viewpoints with seating near the church. The cemetery surrounding the Kostel sv. Prokopa has an old-world character and is considered one of the most picturesque cemeteries in the Litomyšl region. The church grounds can therefore be discovered not only as a cultural site, but also as a peaceful place for enjoying the views and observing the village.

Hiking Route and Nature Experience

For active days, the marked hiking route 0448 from Litomyšl to Budislav runs through Chotovice. The route details list “Chotovice – kostel” at 14.3 kilometres and “Chotovice – náves” at 14.6 kilometres. These two designations make it clear that both the church area and the village centre serve as separate points of orientation on the route.

Another option is the Čapí naučná stezka nature trail in the Franze Hantschela Forest Park. The walk leads through nature and provides insights into the lives of storks and the surrounding area. Those who want to switch between views, culture and nature during a trip with varied interests will therefore find different points of connection in Chotovice.

A Distinctive Detail in the Villagescape

The stone cross on “Hlavátky” dominates the centre of the village. It was donated in 1890 by the retired farmer Václav Jůza, house number 58. The cross was completely dismantled, cleaned and repaired, and has been restored to its former condition. Together with the church, it forms a particularly striking landmark for exploring the village.

Special Events and Regional Traditions

Local events also give Chotovice its own distinctive character. The municipality held the unconventional firefighting competition “O pohár obce Chotovice” through and including its fifth edition. Unusual elements of the competition included an attack from an Avia vehicle, a classic 80-metre firefighting attack and races in tubs. These details clearly distinguish the event from an ordinary firefighting competition and form part of the village’s documented festival tradition.

The Kostel sv. Prokopa is also used for cultural events. These include regular singing, music-making by children and young people, and exhibitions of nativity scenes. During the traditional “Rožnění prasátka”, three pig legs were roasted on a spit. Culture and local customs are therefore not limited to historic buildings, but are also expressed in community events.

Chotovice as a Starting Point for Your Travel Planning

If you are looking for a hotel in Chotovice, you can set different priorities when planning your trip: the church area with its views and cultural attractions, the marked hiking route or the nature walk in the Forest Park. This allows you to adapt your choice of activities to your preferred daily rhythm without losing sight of the village’s special features.

Other Places for Your Travel Planning

Other destinations you may wish to consider when making your selection include Strakov, Opatov, Pusta Kamenice, Březová Nad Svitavou, Sedliště, Březinky, Desná and Hartmanice U Poličky.

To the higher-level travel overview: Svitavy District.