Smolotely brings together a late Baroque castle in the village centre, an educational trail covering a wide range of topics and the Maková pilgrimage church above the village. Its varied themes range from architectural and local history to nature, mining and religious tradition. If you are looking for a holiday apartment, first consider which of these aspects you would like to shape your stay.
The Castle and Monuments in the Village
Smolotely Castle was transformed from a Gothic fortress into a Baroque castle between 1706 and 1732. The present late Baroque building in the village centre thus reflects a transformation that took place over several years. Anyone interested in historic architecture can trace the transition from an older fortification to a later castle here.
A statue of St John of Nepomuk stands in the village square. It was brought to Smolotely from a Prague workshop on 16 May 1834. The castle and statue offer different points of interest: the castle tells the story of a building’s transformation, while the statue is a single monument whose journey to Smolotely is precisely dated.
Another testament to the village’s history is the surviving brick chimney of the former steam mill. The mill building itself no longer exists; in the Czech Republic, the chimney is considered one of just two architectural examples of its kind. Unlike the castle and statue, it points to former industrial use and, as a surviving part of the old mill, is a distinct subject of interest for those interested in cultural history.
The Educational Trail: 6.5 Kilometres and Seven Stops
The Smolotely educational trail is 6.5 kilometres long, has seven stops and starts and ends in Smolotely. Its subject matter extends beyond local history, ranging from botany and geology to landscape development, religious buildings and the effects of mining. The trail therefore brings together natural and cultural history rather than focusing solely on individual buildings.
The trail’s length and number of stops give it a clear structure; in terms of content, it brings together several subject areas. This sets it apart from a visit focused mainly on the castle and monuments in the village. If you are particularly interested in landscapes, plants, geology or mining, the trail offers a distinctive way to explore Smolotely’s history and surroundings.
Maková: Pilgrimage Church and Tradition
The Maková pilgrimage church stands on the 545-metre-high Maková hora above Smolotely. C. A. Cannevalle built it between 1719 and 1722. Paintings by Josef Bosáček of the four Evangelists adorn the ceilings. The construction dates, architect and painted subjects give the church a distinct character alongside the history of the castle: here, the focus is on sacred architecture and the pilgrimage tradition.
The Makovská pilgrimage takes place every year on the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, on 16 July or the first Sunday afterwards. In recent years, traditional vendors have also been invited to the pilgrimage, including bakers selling homemade cakes and gingerbread. Mass is also held at Maková at 2 p.m. on the third Sunday of every month. If this date is relevant to your plans, check with the parish in advance.
The different attractions offer distinct options for planning your trip: the educational trail brings together natural and local history across seven stops, while the pilgrimage takes place on a date set each year. Choose a holiday apartment based on whether you would most like to discover Smolotely through its architectural history, the educational trail or the pilgrimage tradition.
Discover more destinations: BĹ™eznice Castle, Dobris, Láz, Ĺ˝upanovice, VysokĂ˝ Chlumec, VěšĂn, Krepenice, KotenÄŤice
For the broader travel overview: PĹ™Ăbram District.
