The inscription on the stone bell tower in Vrátkov gives the year 1820; the village cross dates from 1874. There are also routes connecting Vrátkov with Tismice, the Šembera and Tuchoraz, as well as the Ekocentrum, set amid species-rich woodland and the floodplain of the Šembera stream. Cultural attractions, cycling and hiking sit alongside practical options for getting to the centre. When planning your trip, it is worth taking a closer look at the different route locations, the historic local landmarks and the paths to the Ekocentrum.
Routes around Vrátkov
A tourist route and a cycle route run from Tismice through Vrátkov to the Šembera and onward to Tuchoraz. Cycle Route 8206 (Babice–Doubek–Zahrady), by contrast, runs along the edge of Vrátkov. A green-marked hiking trail connects Mrzky, Tismice, Vrátkov and Tuchoraz. The routes differ both in type and location: Route 8206 is described as running along the edge of the village, while the tourist route and the hiking trail go through Vrátkov. The hiking trail is also identified by its green markings and its connection with Mrzky. These differences make it easier to distinguish the routes when planning your trip.
Local history in two landmarks
The cross in Vrátkov stands north of the village, on the road to Český Brod. It dates from 1874 and was erected at the expense of Václav and Kateřina Miškovský of Vrátkov. An inscription on the stone bell tower states that it was erected in 1820 at the expense of the honourable community of Wratkow. The two local landmarks therefore also differ in who is named as having paid for them: the cross names a married couple from Vrátkov, while the bell tower names the community. Visitors interested in local history will find two concrete examples here of the connection between a date and a dedication.
The Šembera Valley and the Ekocentrum
The Ekocentrum Vrátkov is surrounded by species-rich woodland and the floodplain of the Šembera stream. The Podviniční pond lies in the Šembera Valley. The area’s recreational and tourist use is primarily associated with this valley. The landscape features can therefore be distinguished: the woodland and floodplain describe the Ekocentrum’s immediate surroundings, while the pond is in the Šembera Valley. The valley thus offers a separate point of reference when you want to understand the area’s recreational and tourist landscape.
Past educational events
On 31 August 2024, the “International Bat Night” was held at the Ekocentrum for the third time as a public educational event. The programme included information about bats, a presentation of live injured bats and an evening excursion to a nearby meadow with bat detectors. The “Mushroom Day” on 21 September 2025 focused on a different topic. The Ekocentrum held it as a guided woodland walk with mycologist Michal Plundra. Edible, inedible and poisonous mushrooms were presented. The two past programmes had different focuses: bats and detectors on an evening excursion, and mushroom knowledge on a woodland walk.
Getting to the Ekocentrum
The Ekocentrum can be reached by car, bicycle and on foot. Take PID bus 491 to the Doubravčice, rozcestí Vrátkov stop; from there, an approximately 800-metre forest path leads to the centre. Alternatively, bus 435 runs between Český Brod and Říčany. From Vrátkov, a signposted forest path of about three kilometres leads to the Ekocentrum. The two routes differ in their starting points and lengths: it is approximately 800 metres from the bus 491 stop and about three kilometres from Vrátkov. If you travel by bus, check the timetable for your chosen service before setting off and allow time for the walk afterwards.
Discover more destinations: Radovesnice II, Cerhenice, Kořenice, Přistoupim, Krakovany, Kšely, Mrzky, Tismice
For the broader travel overview: Kolín District.
