Rovný and the Parish Church of St. James the Greater show how varied the cultural and historical themes in Drahoňův Újezd are: a settlement complex on the one hand, and a building with several datable parts on the other. There are also specific points of interest for days outdoors—from the edges of protected areas to well-used hiking, cycling and horse-riding routes. When planning your trip, you can therefore choose between a focus on history and different ways to get active.
Rovný: a settlement complex of eight farmsteads
The abandoned settlement of Rovný is one of the best-preserved settlement complexes from the late Middle Ages and early modern period. It consisted of eight farmsteads; its medieval and early modern features are still clearly visible in the terrain. The number of farmsteads gives the complex a tangible scale, while the traces still visible in the terrain bring its historical dating to life. The Rovný castle mound is designated a protected archaeological feature; the National Heritage Institute’s entry about it was updated on 2 May 2024.
The Church of St. James and its building phases
The Parish Church of St. James the Greater adds its own architectural history to the theme of settlement. It is first mentioned as a parish church in 1350 and retains the Gothic presbytery of its predecessor. The nave and tower date from 1764. The building thus brings together different historical clues: its early mention as a parish church, the Gothic chancel and the dated parts from the 18th century. The church is listed as an immovable cultural monument. Those interested in architectural history can distinguish these layers rather than attributing the church to a single building phase.
Landscape and routes
Drahoňův Újezd lies on the southwestern edge of the Křivoklátsko Protected Landscape Area, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and on the northeastern edge of Radeč Nature Park. The forests around the village consist of mixed woodland with trees aged 80 to 100 years. The edges of the protected areas and the forest structure offer two specific points of reference for exploring the landscape. Well-used hiking, cycling and horse-riding routes pass through Drahoňův Újezd and its surroundings. This offers different ways to get active: you can plan your activities around hikes, cycling trips or horseback rides.
Places of remembrance and rural architecture
The Křtitelna memorial spring lies in the valley opposite Matčina hora and is adorned with a Gothic cross. Here, a specific landscape setting meets a distinctive design feature. Farm complexes No. 3 and No. 6 can also be distinguished by their sequences of buildings: No. 3 comprises a house and barn, while No. 6 has a house, granary and stables. These details complement the church architecture with examples of rural farm complexes.
Choose your travel focus
When looking for a holiday apartment, you can choose what to focus on in Drahoňův Újezd: Rovný and the Church of St. James offer different ways to explore history, while the edges of protected areas, mixed forests and three types of routes connect the area with landscape and outdoor activities. First, consider whether cultural history or outdoor activities will play a bigger part in your trip.
Discover more destinations: Zbiroh, Pavlovsko, Újezd U Svatého Kříže, Mešno, Raková, Těně, Hrádek U Rokycan, Litohlavy.
For the full regional travel overview: Rokycany District.
