Jankov brings together the Romanesque Church of St. John the Baptist, the commemoration of the 1645 battle, and a fishpond system with protected wildlife and plant life. Two specific questions can help you decide what to explore: would you mainly like to learn about the area's architecture and history, or choose a circular walking route? The church, memorial room, and circular routes of varying lengths offer clearly distinct starting points for exploring these themes.

Church and sacred architecture

The Church of St. John the Baptist stands on the north side of Jankov Square, at the end of the park, on a small promontory above a former fortification. The Romanesque building dates from the first half of the 12th century, was extended after the mid-13th century, and was remodelled at the end of the 17th century. These dates describe a sequence of building phases; the single-nave layout and semicircular presbytery provide further details about the church's design. The presbytery is the area around the choir.

Near the primary school in the upper part of the square stands the Chapel of St. John of Nepomuk. This unusual Rococo niche chapel features a statue of the saint. The church is notable for its building phases and layout, while the chapel stands out for its niche form, Rococo style, and statue. Visitors interested in sacred architecture can compare these two buildings in Jankov, which are described in different terms.

Battle history and memorial sites

The Battle of Jankov took place on 6 March 1645 and involved the Swedish army. The battle memorial stands between Jankov and Ratměřice and was erected in 1995 to mark the 350th anniversary. For context, 1645 is the year of the event, while 1995 is the year the memorial was erected. The battle memorial room is open by arrangement with the municipal office; arrange your visit in advance if you would like to see it.

Walking routes and nature

The longer circular route on the “In the Footsteps of the Battle of Jankov” educational trail is about 14 kilometres long. The shorter loop passes the “U Hartman” viewpoint and measures about 9 kilometres. The difference between these approximate lengths is around five kilometres. This gives you a clear basis for choosing a route based on its length. The figures compare two circular routes; the section from Jankov Square to the Battle of Jankov memorial is accessible to wheelchair users. The shorter loop is about two-thirds the length of the longer one.

The Jankov fishpond system is home to a rich variety of protected fauna and flora. An educational trail runs along the edge of Džbány-Žebrák Nature Park. These are two distinct aspects of the area's natural heritage: the fishpond system is notable for its protected wildlife and plant life, while the trail provides a point of access to the nature park.

Discover more destinations: Dolní Kralovice, Slověnice, Střezimíř, Zvěstov, Miličín, Přestavlky U Čerčan, Libohošť, Záhorí.

For the wider travel overview: Benešov District.