Choťovice can be explored through two distinct themes: the history of the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary and the natural surroundings of Žehuňský Pond. This gives you a choice when planning your trip: architectural history, local history, wetlands and bird protection—or a combination of both interests. The bicycle rest stop on Cycle Route 4199 and the regular Fairy-Tale Trail also offer different ways to plan your visit.
Birdlife and wetlands
Since 2004, the municipal area of Choťovice has been part of the Žehuňský Pond–Obora Kněžičky Natura 2000 Special Protection Area. The area protects, among others, the Little Bittern (Ixobrychus minutus) and the Spotted Crake (Porzana porzana), as well as their habitats. It is important as a breeding area for 131 bird species and is also a migration area for waterbirds and birds of prey.
The Žehuňský Pond National Natural Monument includes the cadastral area of Choťovice. It protects reed beds, wet to mesophilic meadows and calcareous fens, as well as rare and endangered animal and plant species, particularly birds. The two protection designations have different emphases: the Special Protection Area is also described in terms of breeding and migrating birds, while specific habitats are named for the natural monument.
Žehuňský Pond also serves a recreational purpose. It was probably created in 1492 by King Vladislaus Jagiellon. Thus, the same body of water has a present-day recreational function, significance for protected nature and a historical attribution; its creation in 1492 remains a probable date.
Church and local history
The Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary is first recorded in 1357 and was formerly also known as the Church of Our Lady. After the earlier church building was destroyed by lightning, the church was rebuilt or extensively renovated in the Early Baroque style after 1670. These dates mark different stages: its first record in 1357, the subsequent loss of the predecessor building and the Early Baroque building phase after 1670. On 24 June 2006, the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic officially declared the church a cultural monument. This designation came later than the historical building events.
Cycle route and event dates
There is a bicycle rest stop at Rybníček v Neckách on Cycle Route 4199. The route runs from Libice nad Cidlinou to Urbanice near Hradec Králové. This gives you a specific route with named endpoints to consider when planning your trip. If you plan to cycle the route, check its course before setting out; route details may change.
The Fairy-Tale Trail is one of the regular events in Choťovice, but its dates vary. If you would like to plan an overnight stay around the event, check the specific date before finalizing your plans. The possible focus of a visit can therefore vary: nature and local history are joined by an event whose date varies, which you can specifically include in your travel plans.
Discover more destinations: Drahobudice, Nova Ves I, Červené Pečky, Radim, Zásmuky, Křečhoř, Tatce, Svojšice.
For the broader travel overview: Kolín District.
