Želenice: Church, Farmstead and Landscape History

Želenice combines a church history documented since the Middle Ages with a protected farmstead on the village square. A phonolite quarry on the southern edge defines Želenický vrch. During your stay, you can distinguish the village’s historic buildings from hiking destinations and landscape features in the wider region.

Želenice at a glance

• Church first mentioned in 1352; rebuilt in 1847–1848.
• Protected farmstead number 43 with two residential and two agricultural buildings.
• The station is assigned to railway lines 130 and 131.

Church and historic buildings

The church in Želenice was first mentioned in 1352 under the name Zelenycz and was recorded as a parish church in 1398. The new church was built between 1847 and 1848 on the initiative of the parish priest Schramm. These dates represent different stages in the village’s history: its early mention, its ecclesiastical role and the later construction of the church.

The historic residential and agricultural buildings also offer a tangible impression of village life in the past. The protected Želenice farmstead No. 43 dates from the first half of the 19th century and forms part of the historic buildings on the village square. It comprises two residential buildings and two agricultural buildings. The former rectory at Želenice No. 27 is also protected as a state monument. A four-sided wayside shrine with niches, one of which contains a crucifix, is dated 1583. These examples differ in form and function, ranging from the wayside shrine to the rectory and the farmstead complex.

Landscape and geological traces

Želenický vrch reaches an elevation of 455.1 metres. A quarry has operated on its northern slope, on the southern edge of Želenice, since the last century to extract phonolite, called znělec in Czech. The use of local stone is therefore another feature that characterises Želenice, alongside its historic buildings.

The Želenice area is among the warmest and driest regions of the Czech Republic. This climatic classification has particularly shaped the development of steppe communities. The Bílina is the main watercourse in the municipality’s administrative area. The Braňanský potok first joins it from the left; more than two kilometres farther on, the Liběšický potok joins from the right.

In the wider region, a relatively extensive floodplain of considerable biological importance stretches along the Bílina from České Zlatníky to its confluence with the Liběšický potok. Other landscape landmarks include Zlatník and Bořeň: Zlatník reaches 521 metres and is listed in the area description as a proposed nature reserve; this should be distinguished from the already designated protected status of other destinations. Bořeň is 539 metres high and is a state nature reserve. It is the highest peak in the Bořeň section of the Měrunická vrchovina.

Hiking trails, rail and accommodation

Želenice is designated as a starting point for marked hiking trails. In the wider region, the Bílina–Kaňkov and Chanov–České Zlatníky–Zlatník routes are marked in red; Bílina–Kyselka–Bořeň–Bílina is marked in green. Check the current trail markings and conditions before setting out. This will help you plan your route according to the conditions on the ground.

Želenice station is assigned to railway lines 130 and 131. Check the timetable before travelling. Compare the station actually served and the route to your accommodation rather than assuming that a suitable connection is available based solely on the line number.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Bělušice, Loučná, Polerady, Mariánské Radčice, Brandov, Volevčice, Braňany and Český Jiřetín.

FAQ

Is the quarry open to visitors?

The description mentions the phonolite quarry and its location. Do not plan to enter the operating site without explicit permission; choose routes that are actually open to the public for your hike.

Go to the main travel overview: Okres Most.