Cerhonice – Literature, Monuments and Cycling Routes

Cerhonice combines literary history, architectural heritage and cycling routes in one place. Ladislav Stroupežnický was born here on January 6, 1850; his play “Naši furianti” is set in his hometown of Cerhonice. Thus, the history of the village does not begin with a general attraction, but with a specific connection between a person, a setting and a literary work. If you would like to combine culture with active exploration, Cerhonice offers several different ways to do so.

Historical Traces Around the Farmstead and Chateau

An important historical focal point is the Cerhonice farmstead. Until the end of the 15th century, it was the only farmstead belonging to the estate. It also served as an administrative center for the area on the left bank of the Vltava. The farmstead experienced its greatest development after the mid-16th century; this development also included the expansion of fish farming. This sequence makes the history of the village as an economic and administrative center easier to understand.

The architectural heritage includes the Cerhonice chateau complex. It was created by rebuilding an older fortress and is protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic. Another specific trace of the village’s history is the Chapel of Saint Lawrence. It was restored, including its altar, is dedicated to Saint Lawrence, and services are once again held there. The chateau complex represents the transformation from an older fortress into a protected cultural monument. The chapel adds a sacred site to this historical setting, where services continue to be held. A visit to Cerhonice therefore connects architectural history with the village’s religious history.

Places of Remembrance and Regional Tradition

Among the special historical references is the Red Cross in the forests of Vráž. Together with three identical chapels erected in a regular triangle around Cerhonice, it serves as a lasting reminder of a bloody event. Until the First World War, a penitential procession also took place every year on the first Sunday in June from Cerhonice to the Red Cross. The regional legend was popularized by Alois Jirásek in his story “Ballada z rokoka”. It is sometimes incorrectly located near Boudy. Those interested in the connection between landscape, remembrance and storytelling tradition will find an unusually multifaceted approach to the village’s history here.

Cycling with Cerhonice as a Stage

Cerhonice is also a clearly defined destination for a cycling trip: Cycle Route 31 passes through the village. The Alšova stezka can be ridden as a cycling tour from Ostrovec via Cerhonice to Mirotice. Cycle Route 31 passes through Cerhonice; the Alšova stezka runs as a cycling tour from Ostrovec via Cerhonice to Mirotice. When choosing your accommodation, you can therefore decide whether the history of the village itself or Cerhonice as one section of a cycling tour should be the focus of your trip.

Research More Destinations

For further travel planning, you can also visit the pages for Jetětice, Smetanova Lhota, Cervena, Borečnice, Dolní Novosedly, Albrechtice Nad Vltavou, Drhovle and Myslín.

To the higher-level travel overview: Písek District.