Drevníky: History, Chapel and Landscape

Drevníky combines a long local history with tangible places of remembrance and a landscape that also encompasses the area around Slapy Reservoir. The Chapel of Saint Wenceslas and a stone memorial to the fallen are located in the village; a tourist route passes through the municipality. The reservoir lies about three kilometres to the west. This distinction is useful when planning your trip: the local history focuses on Drevníky itself, while swimming, water sports and boat trips belong to the area around the reservoir.

History Between Archaeology and Written Records

Archaeological finds show that Drevníky was a settlement and colonisation centre of the Knovíz culture in the 6th century BC. The first written mention of Drevníky dates from 1348. At that time, the village was recorded under the historical name form “Dřevník” in the Archbishop’s domain of Příbram. These two pieces of evidence refer to different points in time: the archaeological evidence points to an early settlement, while 1348 marks the written mention. The names also belong in this context: Dřevník is the form given in the historical record, while Drevníky is the present-day name of the village. Anyone wishing to understand the history of the place can thus distinguish between archaeological settlement and written records, rather than treating both dates as the same kind of historical evidence.

Chapel and Remembrance of the Fallen

The Chapel of Saint Wenceslas is a tangible cultural and historical landmark in Drevníky. Regular services are not held in the chapel; please ask locally about special services. A stone memorial to the soldiers from Drevníky and Slovanská Lhota who fell in the First World War stands right next to the chapel. The memorial therefore extends beyond Drevníky to the also-mentioned municipality of Slovanská Lhota. The chapel and memorial offer two distinct ways to learn about the place: the building dedicated to Saint Wenceslas and the remembrance of people from both municipalities who fell in the war.

Water, Routes and Landscape

Slapy Reservoir lies about three kilometres west of Drevníky. The surrounding area offers places to swim, water sports, beach recreation, viewpoints and boat trips. These are different options for a stay focused on water and outdoor recreation. If a particular activity is important to your trip, check the current offers and access options at the reservoir in advance.

A tourist route also passes through the municipality: Hříměždice–Homole–Hranice–Strž. If you include this route in your plans, check the current signposting before setting out. This makes it possible to distinguish route planning from the historical themes in the village and from the leisure opportunities at the reservoir, without combining the places mentioned into a single circular route.

The Lípa u Bandora memorial tree is located in the area around Drevníky. There are places to sit with views of the rural landscape. Nearby are also forests known for mushroom picking. These offer different ways to enjoy the landscape: Lípa u Bandora is noted for its seating and views, while the forests offer a separate attraction for mushroom enthusiasts.

Choose the Right Focus for Your Trip

If you are particularly interested in local history, the chapel, memorial and two historical points in time provide clues to Drevníky itself. If you would rather include water activities or the surrounding landscape, Slapy Reservoir to the west, the route through the municipality and the nearby forests are other options to consider. Check current offers at the reservoir and the route’s signposting specifically for the activities you have in mind.

Discover more destinations: Nový Knín, Nečín, Zduchovice, Stara Hut', Počepice, Vranovice, Lhota U Příbramě, Svaté Pole.

For the broader travel overview: Příbram District.