Drahoňův Újezd – Cultural Traces and Landscapes

Between Rovný, the Church and Protected Landscapes

Drahoňův Újezd combines distinctive cultural traces with a varied landscape within a compact geographical area. The village lies on the southwestern edge of the Křivoklátsko Protected Landscape Area, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and at the same time on the northeastern edge of Radeč Nature Park. Anyone looking for a place in the Czech Republic with historical remains and nature-related excursions will find various points of interest in Drahoňův Újezd to incorporate into their own plans.

Church and Settlement History

An important cultural landmark is the parish Church of St. James the Elder. It is mentioned as a parish church as early as 1350, preserves a Gothic presbytery from the predecessor building, and has a nave and a tower dating from 1764. The church is registered as an immovable cultural monument. For visitors interested in history, this means that it is not a building with a single construction date, but rather one in which several stages of development can be identified.

The history of Rovný is also part of the village’s distinctive character. The abandoned settlement is one of the best-preserved settlement complexes from the Late Middle Ages and the early modern period. Rovný consisted of eight farmsteads; the medieval and early modern sections are still clearly visible in the terrain. In addition, the Rovný castle site in Drahoňův Újezd is designated as a currently protected archaeological feature. Anyone interested in rural settlement patterns and the development of historic landscapes will find several different forms of evidence here, without needing to combine them into a single structure.

Forests, Trails and Distinctive Landscape Features

The forests around Drahoňův Újezd consist of mixed stands with an age structure of 80 to 100 years. Frequently used hiking, cycling and horse-riding trails run through the village and its surroundings. This makes it possible to include cultural themes and landscape exploration side by side in travel planning. Road II/235 is also important for orientation: it runs through Drahoňův Újezd from Kařez to Zvíkovec.

One of the distinctive landscape features is the Křtitelna memorial spring. It lies in the valley opposite Matčina hora and is adorned with a Gothic cross. Another natural feature is represented by the Jalovce na Světovině Nature Monument. It protects common juniper, botanically Juniperus communis subsp. communis, on former grazing land. The reference to the former use of the land makes clear that not only the plant species but also the historic form of the landscape plays a role here.

Historic Farmsteads and Further Excursion Options

The local monuments include farm complex No. 3, with a residential house and barn, as well as farm complex No. 6, with a residential house, granary and stables. Another historical trace is Rudův mlýn, whose origins date back to the beginning of the 17th century. A green-marked tourist route leads from Zbiroh to the banks of the Berounka near Hřešihlav.

Further Places for Your Research

For further searches, you can also consider Klabava, Busovice, Mlečice, Raková, Skořice, Tycek, Březina U Rokycan and Břasy.

For the broader travel overview: Okres Rokycany.