Chocenice – Trails, Landscape and History

Chocenice Between Hiking Trails and History

Chocenice lies in the Švihovská vrchovina Highlands and in the valley of the Chocenický potok stream.

Hiking to Chocenická velká skála

A yellow-marked hiking trail of the Club of Czech Tourists leads from Bzí via Chocenice towards Kozí roh. From the village square in Chocenice, the yellow trail continues to Chocenická velká skála, where it joins the green trail from Srby to Blovice.

A separate option is the seven-panel educational trail from Chocenice to Velká skála u Bzí. It begins in the village centre and ends after less than five kilometres. The educational trail has an elevation difference of approximately 150 metres and two rest areas, including one at the Vejsovák pond. The route therefore combines information along the way with a clearly described destination outside the village centre.

Chateau, Granary and Chapel

Chocenice Chateau was originally a late Renaissance fortress. Probably in the last quarter of the 17th century, it was converted into a Baroque chateau; later valuable alterations were carried out in the Neoclassical style. In 1927, Chocenice Chateau was converted into the Skupa holiday home for children from Plzeň. The Old Chateau is a massive two-storey building with a mansard roof and a half-timbered upper storey. The Old Chateau also contains a preserved historic black kitchen.

The Špejchar granary was built in 1723 on a rise above the Vejsovský rybník pond. It remains a prominent landmark of Chocenice. Another view of the village is offered by the Chapel of the Apparition of the Virgin Mary in Lourdes, built in 1895 in the Pseudo-Romanesque style. The Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes stands in the village centre on the road above the stream. A statue of the Immaculate Heart of Mary stands on a pseudo-style altar.

Distinctive Traces in the Villagescape

At the northeastern edge of Chlumek grows the protected sessile oak Chocenický drnák, planted around 1720–1730. One of the oldest buildings in Chocenice is the former brewery building at house number 3. The Antonín Švehla monument commemorates a politician who was among the leading representatives of the domestic resistance during the First World War and later led three Czechoslovak governments.

The written history of the village is also connected with an important reservation: the first surviving written mention attributed to Chocenice is a foundation charter of the Benedictine monastery in Kladruby from 1115. However, the identification of the settlement referred to in the document is disputed. Thus, Chocenice brings together specific hiking destinations, architectural history and historical tradition, without the individual sites being limited to a single era.

Choose More Destinations

If you would like to continue your search beyond Chocenice, you can also open the listings for Líšina, Horšice, Letiny, Haje, Dolce, Merklín, Životice and Kotovice.

To the higher-level travel overview: Plzeň-Jih.