Vlkanov – Cycling, the Sázava Landscape and Local History

Vlkanov combines a marked cycling route with notable historical traces and interesting destinations in the surrounding area. The history of the village dates back to 1591. At the same time, the routes around Vlkanov lead to landscapes along the Sázava and to places where the history of the Czech Republic is revealed in unusual ways.

River Landscape near Stvořidla and Cycling around Vlkanov

In the vicinity of Vlkanov, the Stvořidla nature reserve lies on the Sázava River between Světlá nad Sázavou and Ledeč nad Sázavou. The protected section includes a fast-flowing stretch of river, a rocky riverbed and a geomorphologically distinctive breakthrough valley landscape. Stvořidla is also a popular destination for canoeists. The immediate surroundings therefore offer a clear contrast between an active river landscape and the historical themes directly associated with Vlkanov.

The cycling network is also one of the village’s specific features. Vlkanov lies at the intersection of Road III/34731 between Číhošť and Světlá nad Sázavou and Road III/34734 between Vlkanov and Sázavka. A marked cycling route runs through the area along both third-class roads. The Posázavskou cestou route reaches Vlkanov as its last village before descending to Ledeč nad Sázavou. Those considering accommodation in Vlkanov as a starting point for cycling tours can take this route into account when planning their own trip, without reducing the village to just one type of experience.

Číhošť: Centre and Ecclesiastical-Historical Connection

Číhošť lies 2 km west of Vlkanov in the immediate vicinity. It is home to the geometric centre of the Czech Republic, marked by a stone monument with a map of the country. Číhošť is also associated with the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and the so-called Číhošť miracle. Both features make the village an independent destination for anyone wishing to combine experiences in the landscape with regional history and special places of remembrance.

Historical Traces in the Village

The history of the village can be traced through several different sites. A school was built in Vlkanov in 1830. It initially had one class and was later expanded to two classes; a third branch was located in Opatovice. The former school building now serves as a recreational facility for a pioneer group from Prague, which also rents it to other interested parties for recreation. This former use as a school and its current use, explicitly described as a recreational facility, are notable chapters in the village’s history.

In 1919, the residents of Vlkanov erected a monument in the village square to five fellow citizens who fell in the First World War. Another historical connection leads to Josef Zadina: he was born in Vlkanov in 1887 and was a member of parliament and minister of Czechoslovakia in the 1930s. Together with the history reaching back to 1591, this creates a chronological arc that extends beyond individual sights.

Landscape Features

In the northeastern part of the municipality, Louka u Vlkanova is registered as a valuable landscape element, VKP No. 74. The occurrence of Pedicularis sylvatica is also recorded in this area. The specific designation of the landscape element and the plant species adds a small-scale natural reference to the larger river landscape near Stvořidla. Depending on your focus, when choosing accommodation you can therefore combine cultural discoveries in Vlkanov and Číhošť with cycling or a trip to the Sázava.

Other Places for Your Research

If you would like to compare other destinations in addition to Vlkanov, you can also find Stříbrné Hory, Sloupno, Rušinov, Kraborovice, Jeřišno, Příseka, Skryje and Bačkov.

To the overview of the broader travel area: Okres Havlíčkův Brod.