Chbany at the Nechranice Reservoir: Water, Culture and Landscape

Chbany combines the open landscape of the Nechranice Reservoir with historic sites and surprisingly diverse discoveries. Vikletice has been part of the municipality of Chbany since 1963 and lies on the reservoir’s right bank. This brings water sports, views and culture together – an interesting basis if you would like to combine different priorities on your trip.

Nechranice Reservoir: Water and Active Days

The Nechranice Reservoir is a body of water set in an open landscape, covering more than 1,300 hectares. With favorable winds, it is suitable for sailing, windsurfing and kitesurfing in spring and autumn. In summer, the reservoir is used for swimming and fishing. The greatest concentration of campsites, beaches and recreational facilities is located on the right bank near Vikletice.

On the southern shore, in the central shoreline zone near Vikletice, lies the Nechranice Yacht Club. It serves as a base for sailing and water sports and has facilities for regional and international sailing competitions, including docks, a mooring basin and paved ramps for launching boats. The club members’ range of activities also includes windsurfing, kitesurfing, wingsurfing, and recreational and competitive sailing. Marked cycling routes lead to the reservoir from Chomutov, Kadaň and Žatec in the wider surrounding region.

Poláky Chateau and Historic Discoveries

Poláky Chateau, protected as a cultural monument, offers an insight into life at a rural aristocratic estate during the First Republic. The public tour opened in 2024. A visit includes 12 rooms; you can choose a guided tour with commentary or move independently through the rooms at your own pace using printed texts. Near Poláky there was also an extensive cemetery of the Bylany culture dating from the 7th to the 5th century BC, from which 54 graves were excavated.

Soběsuky also adds to the cultural character of the surrounding area. The Church of Saint Martin was first mentioned in papal tithe registers in 1369 and was remodeled in the Baroque style around that time. Its grounds are enclosed by a cemetery wall and lie above the deeply incised valley of the Ohře. Soběsuky is also home to a Baroque group of statues of Saint John of Nepomuk dating from 1724 and an early Baroque Marian column from 1694. One of Europe’s most extensive Celtic settlements, with almost 60 graves, was excavated in the area.

Vikletice, Views and Choosing Your Accommodation

Vikletice is home to the Baroque Chapel of Saint Anne, built in 1744–1745 and restored in 1909–1910. It has a Rococo high altar with a painting of Saint Anne created in 1910 by the Prague painter Joseph Wünsch. From the observation tower in Vikletice, you can see across the Nechranice Reservoir, the Ore Mountains, the Doupov Mountains and the Džbán Uplands. The 13.8-meter-high tower can be reached by climbing 54 steps; access may be granted with the consent of the owner of the Holiday Centrum.

For further orientation, you can also explore Údlice, Pysna, Otvice, Vadkovice, Všehrdy, Háj, Křimov and Boleboř.

For the broader travel overview: Chomutov District.