A chapel on the village square, a memorial cross and the history of the Jewish community give Svinařov several concrete points of interest for a visit focused on cultural history. The historic paths add another perspective on the village, revealing former connections and routes used for work.

Buildings and local history

On the village square stands a chapel dedicated to Saint Procopius, built in 1870. Local residents built it, with support from Alex, Prince of Croÿ. The chapel thus brings together a religious dedication, local initiative and support from a named benefactor.

The Holý Cross was erected in 1849 to celebrate the end of the robot, meaning historical compulsory labour services. The cross predates the chapel by 21 years. Comparing them highlights two different events in the village’s history: the end of the robot and the construction of a chapel dedicated to Saint Procopius.

The history of the Jewish community

Svinařov was the original centre of the Jewish community in the Slabecko area. A wooden house that contained the community’s prayer room and school burned down on 15 May 1866. A ritual bath for Jewish women, in accordance with the precepts of the Jewish religion, was also established in Svinařov. These details reveal the community’s history from several angles: its position in the Slabecko area, the spaces it used for prayer and teaching, and its religious practices. The fire that destroyed the wooden house was a turning point in local history, dated precisely.

The dates link these themes: the Holý Cross dates from 1849, the wooden house burned down in 1866, and the chapel was built in 1870. The village’s history can thus be read through three specific dates, with the cross, the fire and the chapel’s construction each marking a different event.

Historic paths and cycling routes

The historic routes, as well as the buildings, point to former everyday and work routes. The Modřovská pěšina led to Svinařov. The paths were retained so that people and carts could take shorter routes when performing forced labour for the Zhoř estate. The Pěšina zámecká, by contrast, ran from Krakovec through the forests of Rousínov and Modřejovice and on to Slabce. Today, a branch of the district road to Svinařov runs along its route. The two connections differ: historically, the Modřovská pěšina led into the village; today, a road branch follows the route of the Pěšina zámecká to Svinařov.

Regional route descriptions offer cyclists another way to explore the area. A cycling trip to Krakovec is considered easy and suitable for families. A regional route description from 2023 gives a route from Rakovník to Krakovec via Panoší Újezd, Slabce, Svinařov, Rousínov and Zhoř. In this sequence, Svinařov is one of several places listed. The easy, family-friendly rating applies to the trip to Krakovec, not to every route in the village. If you plan to cycle this route, check the current route details in advance.

Discover more destinations: Kounov, Krakovec, Václavy, Děkov, Přílepy, Městečko, Malinová, Račice

Return to the regional travel overview: Rakovník District.