Zachotín – Baroque Church and Protected Nature

Zachotín between a Baroque Church and Protected Nature

Zachotín combines sacred architectural history, protected nature and historical traces in the surrounding landscape. The destinations differ considerably: the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary leads into the architectural history of the village, the Kladinský potok stream into a nature reserve, Čihadlo to a point north of Zachotín, and the Smírčí kámen to a wayside monument near the Kladinský rybník pond. At the church, the architectural design and interior furnishings take center stage; in the nature reserve, its area and protection status; at Čihadlo, its location, elevation and views; and at the Smírčí kámen, the path, connection with the pond, relief and year.

Architecture with Special Details

The Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary was originally Gothic and was rebuilt in the Baroque style in 1718. It is a simple Baroque building. Its vestibule carries an octagonal lantern with an onion-shaped dome. Here, a lantern refers to the structure added above the vestibule; it is octagonal and topped by the onion-shaped dome. Thus, this architectural element brings together a distinctive geometric form and the curved shape of the dome. The Gothic origins and the Baroque reconstruction of 1718 belong to the church’s different construction phases.

Inside is a pewter vessel for holy oil dated 1788. It bears the marking “SACHODIN”. The vessel complements the exterior architecture with a dated furnishing element inside the church. A Baroque rectory is also one of Zachotín’s points of interest. Thus, in addition to the church, the village also contains other traces of Baroque architecture.

Landscape, Views and a Wayside Monument

Since 1993, the Kladinský potok stream has been a 5.02-hectare nature reserve. The protected area corresponds to approximately 50,200 square meters. The natural area therefore represents a distinct landscape aspect with a defined protection status. Čihadlo lies in the immediate vicinity north of Zachotín. The point is 565 m high and offers views of the surrounding landscape. Its northern location, elevation and view across the surroundings give this destination a different character from the area-based nature reserve.

The Smírčí kámen stands on a blue-marked trail near the Kladinský rybník pond. The stone bears a relief of a cross pattée and the year 1687. On a cross pattée, the arms widen toward their ends. The relief is therefore not merely a cross symbol but has a clearly describable form. Together with the location on the trail near the pond and the year, this design is one of the stone’s specific features.

Road Connections of the Village

Road II/347 runs through Zachotín. It is connected to Road I/34.

Other places for travel planning: Jiřice U Humpolce, Vlásenice-Drbohlavy, Křeč, Velká Chyška, Těchobuz, Kosetice, Kaliště and Svépravice.

To the broader travel overview: Pelhřimov District.