Chotesice: Church Architecture and Pond Landscape

Chotesice lies in the flat Polabian Lowland. The town’s history dates back to the Middle Ages: it was first mentioned in historical records on September 26, 1199. If you’re looking for a hotel for a trip here, the town’s history and the surrounding pond landscape offer different points of interest to help you plan your stay.

Church and Cemetery as Historic Highlights

The Church of the Sending of the Holy Apostles stands on elevated ground west of the town center, on the road to Břístev. A prominent feature of the landscape, it serves as a striking landmark. The present-day Baroque church was built between 1746 and 1748; repairs followed from 1817 to 1820 and again in 1844. It has a single-nave floor plan, a rectangular presbytery, and a tower on the east side. Its design and location offer two different perspectives: the architecture of the building and its place in the landscape.

The protected church complex includes the church, the mortuary, the cemetery’s enclosing wall, and the associated grounds. The cemetery contains several fine sandstone tombstones from the second half of the 19th century, particularly in the western section. Visitors interested in cultural history can explore the building’s history and cemetery art as related but distinct aspects of the town.

Buildings in Malá Strana and Nová Ves

Malá Strana and Nová Ves also have historic and religious landmarks. In Malá Strana, a statue of the Virgin Mary from 1876 stands on a Neo-Gothic plinth. A pair of black poplars also stands there, about 50 meters from Slatinka Pond.

In Nová Ves, there is a solid stone cross depicting Christ, dating from 1845. The town’s rural architectural heritage also includes Log House No. 5, from the early 19th century, and a two-room log granary. Together with the 19th-century farm buildings preserved in Chotesice, these structures offer a glimpse into different forms of historic architecture. They complement the church as a focal point with examples from rural life.

Ponds, Trees, and Alluvial Forest

The landscape around Chotesice is flat and characterized by forests and ponds. A pear tree on the dam of Vražda Pond is designated a natural monument; two pedunculate oaks grow beside it and are estimated to be about 300 years old. Near Nouzov, remnants of a semi-natural alluvial forest lie around Komárovský Pond. The Smíchovský potok also flows through Chotesice. These features are located in different places: the stream runs through the town, the trees stand on the pond dam, and the remains of the alluvial forest are near Nouzov.

The forests and ponds around Chotesice are used intensively for fish farming and raising waterfowl, so they are not suitable for swimming. If you’re planning to swim, check local conditions in advance. The ponds are a defining feature of the landscape, but they should not be confused with bathing waters. As a local product, the municipality sells honey from its communal apiary.

Plan Your Stay Around Your Interests

When planning your trip, you can weigh up the different themes: the church and cemetery represent architectural and cultural history, the buildings in Malá Strana and Nová Ves add to this perspective, and the ponds and trees offer a focus on the landscape.

Discover more destinations: Kostomlaty Nad Labem, Stará Lysá, Chleby, Jizbice, Běrunice, Dymokury, Libice Nad Cidlinou, Senice.

See the overview of destinations in the wider area: Okres Nymburk.