At the village pond on the village square, local history and landscape meet in Zbožíčko: remnants of a once extensive forest between Zbožíčko and Straky can now be found in house gardens and around the pond. This links the village’s historical landmarks with a tangible change in the landscape. Several distinct perspectives are available to help you plan your trip: the village’s development, its buildings and memorials, and finding your way around the water.

From the first mention to the Benátky estate

Zbožíčko was first mentioned in written historical sources in 1410. A second historical milestone followed in 1555, when Jindřich z Donína bought the villages of Zbožíčko and Straky from the Mitrovský of Nemyšl. Following this purchase, Zbožíčko became part of the Benátky estate. There are 145 years between the first written mention and the purchase. The two dates mark different milestones: 1410 marks the first mention, while 1555 marks the purchase and Zbožíčko’s subsequent inclusion in the Benátky estate.

Dates on buildings and landmarks

A cross in Zbožíčko dates from 1877. The Chapel of the Virgin Mary dates from 2005, and the war memorial from 2010. Two working sundials from 2012 add to this series. The sandstone statue of Saint Florian was created in 2018 by sculptor Bartoloměj Štěrba. There are 141 years between the cross and the statue, spanning the 19th to the 21st century. The objects also differ considerably: the cross, chapel, memorial, sundials and statue each have their own focus. If the sundials’ function is important to you, check their condition before your visit.

Traces of the forest and the village pond

A vast forest once stretched between Zbožíčko and Straky. Today, remnants of it can be found in house gardens and around the village pond on the village square. The pond area is therefore a tangible landmark in the history of the landscape: part of the remaining forest is found here, while the former forest shaped the area between the two villages. This contrast between its former extent and what remains today gives your visit a different focus from the dates associated with the buildings. You can thus understand Zbožíčko through both individual historical milestones and changes to the landscape.

Finding your way around the water and by bike

The pond can be reached via a footpath that starts immediately after crossing the bridge over the Vlkava. Paths and conditions may change; check the current conditions before setting out. The Zbožíčko weir lies on the southern edge of the village, near a fishing hut and a children’s playground. These landmarks help you locate the weir within the village, without confusing them with the footpath to the pond.

At the weir, the metal bridge also serves as a footbridge over the watercourse and provides access to the opposite bank. It is therefore a separate landmark for finding your way around the water. A cycling route runs through the area around Zbožíčko. If you are planning a bike ride, check the current route and its condition beforehand.

Discover more destinations: Opolany, Jizbice, Černíky, Choťánky, Kovanice, Kněžičky, Hořátev, Kouty.

For the broader travel overview: Okres Nymburk.