Anyone considering Bílkovice as a destination can explore several themes side by side: the chapel in the village square, the river and traces of historic mills. Cycling and hiking trails lead beyond the village. Local history and routes through the surrounding area are therefore part of the picture of Bílkovice.

Village Centre, Valley and Trails

The Chapel of Saint Anthony stands in its own square in the centre of the village. It needs maintenance. Bílkovice lies in a valley between forests and near a well-known quarry; the Chotýšanka flows through the village. Together, the valley, forest and river give a tangible impression of the local landscape.

Cycle Route 0072 passes through Olbramovice, Postupice, Chotýšany, Bílkovice, Divišov and Český Šternberk. Along this route, Bílkovice lies between Chotýšany and Divišov. If you are interested in a cycling route through several villages, this helps you place the village along the route.

A green-marked hiking trail leads from Domašín railway station over Kalamajka Hill and the Onšovice trail junction to Bílkovice, then continues to Divišov town square. Check the route locally once more before setting out.

There are also specific options for sporting interests: Bílkovice’s sports facilities include a football pitch and a nohejbal court. If you are planning an organised activity, check current availability in advance.

The Chotýšanka flows through Bílkovice; canoeists can navigate only the 11.5-kilometre stretch from the dam of Smikov Pond to its confluence with the Vlašimská Blanice. Navigability depends on water levels, the season and obstacles. Plan a canoe trip with these conditions in mind, rather than assuming the river is navigable simply because it flows through the village.

Chapel, Mill and Local Culture

The Chapel of Saint Anthony was built in 1926 at the expense of miller and former member of parliament Josef Olt. Inside is a painting of Saint Anthony, restored in 1998. The chapel brings together a clearly identifiable village square and several historical details.

Another trace of the village’s milling past is the Bílkovický, Oltův mlýn. The large, compact mill stands on the Chotýšanka, 500 metres downstream from the Radošovický mlýn. A manorial valuation dated 16 September 1743 recorded it as a mill with two sets of milling equipment. Its precise location on the river and the historical record offer two different insights into the village’s milling history.

Local cultural life has also left its mark on history. In the 1920s, a reading and amateur theatre group was founded in Bílkovice, performing in the village, neighbouring villages and the wider area. In the 1970s, a local girls’ dance group performed old Bohemian dances at regional festivals and celebrations. These examples represent different forms of community cultural life: theatre and a reading group on the one hand, and dance at regional events on the other.

The former amateur theatre was based in the small hall at U Litošů. Three plays were staged there each year, with two performances of each. Along with the performances by the reading and amateur theatre group, this theatrical tradition shows that local cultural history can be traced not only through buildings but also through community activities.

Discover more destinations: Miličín, Zahorí U Milicína, Vracovice, Ješetice, Vranov, Ostředek, Chlum, Skalice

For the main travel overview: Benešov District.