A historic chain of ponds and traces of silver mining give Šebestěnice two clearly distinct themes for a stay. Particularly striking is the transformation from the former eight-pond system to the Návesní Pond that survives today; the mining history can also be understood through dated milestones and tangible traces in the landscape.

A Changing Chain of Ponds

The historic chain of ponds consisted of eight bodies of water arranged close together along the Šebestěnický stream, which supplied the chain. Their arrangement was intended to retain as much water as possible. Maps from the First Military Survey in the second half of the 18th century show all eight ponds; the next survey, from the early 19th century, shows only two. The two sets of maps show how things changed over several decades. Together with the Návesní Pond that survives today, they trace a progression from the more extensive system to the present-day landscape.

Návesní Pond is the only surviving pond from the original eight-pond system. It lies on the Šebestěnický stream, covers 1.04 hectares, is now filled with water, and is used for fish farming. The closely spaced ponds formerly served to retain as much water as possible; today, the surviving pond is used for fish farming. Návesní Pond can therefore be understood both as part of the former system and in terms of its current use.

The Šebestěnický stream flows through the municipalities of Šebestěnice and Chlum and is a right-bank tributary of the Vranidolský stream. Thus, the stream that supplied the historic chain of ponds is also connected to the wider water network.

Silver Mining: Dates and Traces

Traces of very early silver mining have been documented in Šebestěnice. Silver mining near Šebestěnice resumed around 1570. In 1572, Havel Šiška was entrusted with managing a mine in the Silver Mountains near Šebestěnice. The dates play different roles: around 1570 marks the approximate resumption, while 1572 is the year management was transferred. The mining history thus combines a broad historical background with two specific milestones.

South of Šebestěnice, three pits are visible in the “Na šachtách” forest as surviving traces of mining. The southernmost depression is six metres deep. The location and depth provide specific reference points for these traces: the pits lie south of the village, and the stated depth refers to the southernmost depression.

More Things to Explore During Your Stay

Šebestěnice is also home to the filial Church of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary. If you are interested in church services, contact the parish for information. Šebestěnice is also suitable for hiking trips; if you would like to include some activity in your stay, you can consider this alongside the historical themes.

The two themes offer different ways to decide what to focus on during your stay: the history of the ponds can be understood through the surveys, the stream, and the surviving Návesní Pond. The mining history brings together an approximately dated resumption, a specific transfer of management, and visible traces in the landscape. Base your choice on whether you would prefer to focus on the transformation of a waterscape or on the history of mining.

Discover more destinations: Miskovice, Petrovice Ii, Kácov, Zruc Nad Sázavou, Církvice, Okřesaneč, Zbizuby, Horky

For the regional travel overview: Okres Kutná Hora.