Cholenice brings together a range of themes: Kojetín Pond as an ornithologically important area, the Chapel of St. Mark with its architectural history and Rococo furnishings, and the traditional Ples pod cylindrem ball. You can explore nature, architecture and a local cultural event as different focal points for your trip.
Nature and Bird Conservation at Kojetín Pond
Kojetín Pond lies within the cadastral area of the municipality of Cholenice. It is part of the Natura 2000 Rožďalovické rybníky Bird Protection Area (SPA, CZ20211010) and also part of the nature monument of the same name. As an important ornithological area, it gives Cholenice a tangible connection to birdlife and bird conservation. The protected areas have different names: Rožďalovické rybníky refers to the bird protection area, while Kojetín refers to the nature monument. This means the pond can be understood both in terms of its local location and its inclusion in a bird protection area. For travellers interested in nature and bird conservation, this is one focus alongside the village’s architectural and cultural themes.
Chapel of St. Mark: Design and Furnishings
The Chapel of St. Mark was built in 1776 on the site of an older Late Baroque wooden structure. Its design is characterised by an elliptical nave and a semicircular apse. The nave is the main space, while the apse is the semicircular end section. These terms help distinguish the shape of the interior: an elliptical main space and a semicircular end. The furnishings include a Rococo high altar and a Rococo pulpit. The style designation applies to both furnishings, while the nave and apse describe the building’s form. The chapel has been protected as a cultural monument since 1958. The dates mark different milestones: 1776 for construction on the site of the older wooden structure, and 1958 for its heritage protection.
Cultural History and Ples pod cylindrem
A community theatre group was active in Cholenice in the past; it was founded in 1909. Its theatrical work was known beyond the Jičín area. This former theatre tradition adds another cultural thread to the architectural history. There is also a stone cross at the foot of the path to the Cholenice cemetery. It offers a different architectural point of reference from the Chapel of St. Mark: a single cross beside the path to the cemetery, rather than a building with a described interior layout and furnishings.
Ples pod cylindrem is a traditional ball with a long history and is held annually. It begins with a ceremonial procession of men wearing top hats. The ball also includes an interactive baptism ritual: men and women can be baptised if they arrange for a godmother or godfather to hold a top hat above the head of the person being baptised. The procession and the ritual are two distinct parts of the ball: the top hat is part of the opening procession and also has the described role above the person’s head during the ritual. If you would like to plan your trip around the ball, check the date for the relevant year before making arrangements.
Discover more destinations: Prachov, Třtěnice, Jinolice, Jeřice, Dílce, Kopidlno, Veliš U Jičína, Lukavec U Hořic.
For the overview of the wider area: Okres Jičín.
