Čmelíny combines a traditional old Bohemian Rundling village with a natural feature in the surrounding area. The Chapel of Our Lady stands at the center of the village square, with a pond right beside it. The Bouřidla Natural Monument, with its rich population of common juniper, lies nearby. Two different interests therefore come together when planning a trip: the village’s historic character and the juniper landscape around Bouřidla.
The village layout at the center
The term “Rundling village” draws attention to the shape of the whole settlement, rather than just to individual buildings. In Čmelíny, this character is evident in the village square: the Chapel of Our Lady stands at its center, with the pond right beside it. The religious building and body of water are thus directly adjacent landmarks within the settlement. The square offers a concrete point of reference for connecting the traditional old Bohemian settlement form with a visible center. The Rundling is therefore more than just a historical term: its form can be traced in the village square and the features beside it.
History and the chapel
The first written mention of Čmelíny dates from 1384. The building history of the Chapel of Our Lady is a separate matter: the small religious building dates from the second half of the 19th century. It stands in a prominent spot on the village square and is a traditional cultural and historical feature of the rural surroundings in the southern Plzeň region. Several centuries separate the first mention from the chapel’s construction; the two dates describe different historical layers of the village. Ervín de Stmelin is considered a lay brother of the Cistercian monastery in Nepomuk. A lay brother was a non-ordained member of a monastic community; the term adds a monastic connection to the historical context.
Bouřidla and the juniper
The Bouřidla Natural Monument lies in the surrounding area of Čmelíny, covers 11.4092 hectares, and was first designated on 15 November 1990. It has a rich population of common juniper. The juniper wood at Bouřidla is most easily reached from Čmelíny via a field track; the route is a little over one kilometer long. Before setting out, check whether the field track is passable for your visit. The area, designation date, and presence of juniper describe different aspects of the natural monument: its size, the timing of its protection, and the natural value associated with common juniper.
Landscape and choosing your stay
The terrain and land cover are much more varied in the eastern part of the Čmelíny area. This contrasts with the clearly defined village center. When choosing Čmelíny as a destination, you can weigh up whether you are mainly interested in the Rundling layout and chapel or in the natural monument and landscape. If you are looking for an apartment, you can consider these priorities before choosing a destination: first think about what you want your stay to focus on, then look for suitable accommodation.
Discover more destinations: Kasejovice, Nové Mitrovice, Řenče, Kbel, Přeštice, Měcholupy U Blovic, Polanka, Netunice
For the broader travel overview: Plzeň-Jih.
