Cekov – Local History and Nature at Cekovský Pond

Cekov combines local history with the 44-hectare Cekovský Pond and trails for walks and cycling tours.

Local History on the Village Green

The first written mention of Cekov dates back to 1273. However, the village’s history is interesting not only because of its great age, but also because its settlement site changed several times. The original settlement below the so-called Bukovská Road was destroyed by fire during the Hussite Wars. After Ladislav the Elder of Lobkovic created the Salm Pond on the site of three abandoned settlements in 1585, Cekov was rebuilt at its present location.

Historical connections can also be seen in the village’s present-day appearance. A small chapel stands on the village green. Next to it, a monument commemorates the victims of both world wars. Cekov was burned down again in 1639 and struck by a plague epidemic in 1680. These events give the village a history that extends beyond a single date: on a walk, you will encounter both the established village centre and reminders of significant chapters in the past.

Water Landscapes and Protected Nature

Cekovský Pond covers 44 hectares. Its surroundings are used for walks and time spent in nature.

The Kařezské Ponds Natural Monument lies partly within the cadastral area of Cekov. Covering 65.0355 hectares, it protects a breeding and stopover site for waterfowl. The precise relationship between the village and the protected area is important: the entire natural monument does not lie within Cekov, but its partial location in the cadastral area is part of the village’s landscape context. Those interested in pond landscapes and nature observation will find a distinct area of interest here alongside Cekovský Pond.

Walking, Cycling and Various Routes

Cekov offers opportunities for hiking and cycling on well-maintained trails. One example leads through the “průhon” and across the Cekov footbridge over the motorway into the surroundings of the Kařezské Ponds. The route thus connects trails within the village with a landscape shaped by several ponds and the protected area.

Another route leads over the small dam of Cekovský Pond and through Bukov to Zbiroh. Another option runs from Cekov via Sirá and Sirská hora towards Radeč.

Choose Cekov as Your Destination

Road II/605 connects Cekov directly to the D5 motorway between Prague and Plzeň. When choosing a destination, you can compare different highlights: the village green with its chapel and monument, the surroundings of Cekovský Pond, the nature of the Kařezské Ponds or one of the routes described above. Those travelling with different interests can thus include local history, landscapes and active days in a shared travel plan without reducing Cekov to just one individual excursion destination.

For further searches for suitable destinations, you can also look at Holoubkov (Holoubkov), Strašice (Strašice), Těně (Těně), Příkosice (Příkosice), Radnice (Radnice), Čilá (Čilá), Podmokly (Podmokly) and Všenice (Všenice).

For the higher-level travel overview: Rokycany District.