The name Podolanka was first mentioned in 1658 for an inn in a valley near Jenštejn. It is probably connected with the local landscape: a narrow valley through which a stream flows. Thus, a dated mention of the name and a possible explanation based on the landscape stand side by side.
Local History and the Municipality
The history of the present-day municipality also includes the history of Cvrčovice, Kostomlátky and Podolanka, three formerly independent neighbouring municipalities. This is a different perspective from the question of the origin of the place name: here, the focus is on the historical relationship between the municipalities, not just the name.
Church Complex and Remembrance
In Cvrčovice, the protected Church of the Beheading of St John the Baptist complex includes a Baroque entrance gate, a mortuary chapel, an enclosing wall and several cemetery gravestones. The site therefore extends beyond a single building and also includes cemetery features. Much of the local cultural heritage is in poor condition; this state of preservation is also relevant to understanding the historic sites.
The Podolanka memorial to those who fell in the First World War commemorates seventeen residents of the municipality and was unveiled on 29 May 1921. It stands as a municipal place of remembrance alongside the sacred architecture and cemetery features of the church complex.
The dates refer to different points in time: 1658 is the first mention of the name for an inn, “before 1680” is the construction period of two wayside chapels, and 29 May 1921 is the date the memorial was unveiled. The mention of the name, the construction period and the commemorative date each provide a distinct historical point of reference.
Chapels and Road References
Two wayside chapels built before 1680 stand on the II/610 main road in Podolanka. They are part of the so-called Svatá cesta (VIA SANCTA) from Prague to Stará Boleslav. They are therefore located along a specific stretch of road as well as forming part of a named route between the two places.
The Výklenková kaple XXX is located on a road on the western side of Podolanka. Výklenková kaple XXXII is on the Podolanka–Dřevčice road, on the northern side of the road heading towards Podolanka. Their locations are thus described in relation to different sides of the road and directions.
Cycling Route and Information at Jordánek
Cycling route 8196 passes through Podolanka and connects the town with Brandýs nad Labem. If you would like to include this connection in your travel plans, check the route locally before setting off.
At Rybník Jordánek, there is an information board with information covering the period from the beginnings to the present day, as well as fishing regulations. It thus combines a historical overview with a specific topic concerning fishing rules.
Discover more destinations: Prusice, Ladvi, Hlavenec, Sluhy, Slustice, Čestlice, Struhařov, Sudovo Hlavno.
For the broader travel overview: Okres Praha-Východ.
