Chotýšany brings together several layers of history: the Church of St. Havel, a listed château complex with a former fortress, and historic landmarks in the village square form the cultural focus. The New Pond adds a contrasting landscape. If you are looking for a holiday apartment for a cultural stay, you can choose what to focus on: are you mainly interested in the history of the church and château, or would you also like to take an excursion that includes tours and events? Château Jemniště is another possible focus.

Church, Château and the Former Fortress

The Church of St. Havel is Chotýšany’s landmark; its earliest written mentions date back to 1350. The single-nave building has a west tower, and its present appearance dates from a renovation in 1884. Two distinct historical reference points therefore come to the fore: 1350 marks the church’s earliest written mentions, while 1884 was the renovation that shaped its present form.

The listed château complex lies in the northern part of the municipality, west of the church. In addition to the château, it includes two granaries, a stable and a farm building, as well as the fortress, boundary walls, château park, garden and a statue of St. John of Nepomuk. Different architectural styles meet in the château itself: the south wing is Baroque and dates from before the mid-18th century; the north wing is Neo-Gothic and was built before 1841. A view of the ensemble thus takes in the château building together with its associated farm and outdoor areas.

The former fortress stood in the grounds of the former farmyard, immediately next to the château. It had a detached residential building dating from the late 13th or early 14th century. After it ceased to be used as a residence, the fortress was first converted into a brewery and later into a distillery. The surviving remains include the ground floor of a rectangular, tower-like residential building and part of a curved defensive wall. Its residential use, later commercial use and surviving structures offer different ways to explore local history.

Crosses and Chapel

A stone cross stands in the village square; it was erected on 28 September 1881. In 1928, it was moved next to the war memorial, where it still stands today. A chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes was also built in the village square in 1933 and consecrated on 13 August of that year.

Another historic landmark is the cast-iron cross now known as “Kuthanův křížek.” It was installed around 1990 on a stone base between two lime trees. The dates span from the erection of the stone cross in 1881 to the consecration of the chapel in 1933 and the installation of the cast-iron cross around 1990. These three dates help distinguish the individual memorials chronologically without conflating them into a single history of origin.

Pond, Ceramics and Events

Chotýšany’s New Pond, formerly called “Židák,” is used for sport fishing. A small park with ornamental trees and shrubs was created around the pond. Here, a recreational activity sits alongside a landscaped setting. If sport fishing is the main reason for your trip, check in advance whether it is possible during your travel dates.

Local crafts also provide a distinct cultural highlight. Ivana Syslová’s functional ceramics are mostly wheel-thrown, glazed and fired. The glazes are usually white, blue or green, with the designs complemented by incised patterns or small dots. You can discover her work at ceramics, annual or farmers’ markets in the surrounding area.

The Friends of Chotýšany Association is associated with the Chotýšany festivities, music evenings and theatre performances. If you would like to plan your trip around an event, check whether and when it takes place during your stay. Château Jemniště is located in the neighbouring cadastral area towards Benešov, about three kilometres from Chotýšany. Its cultural programme includes tours of the château and park, summer theatre performances for children, and Advent concerts. Check the specific dates if you plan to attend a tour or event.

Discover more destinations: Trhový Štěpánov, Týnec Nad Sázavou, Křečovice, Snět, Mrač, Kozmice, Divišov, Tomice.

For the higher-level travel overview: Benešov District.