Ohaře: Church, Traditions and Landscape

A stay in Ohaře can appeal to a range of interests: architectural history, High Medieval archaeology, a hands-on weaving activity and a distinctive feature of the agricultural landscape southeast of the village. These themes are easy to distinguish. The church offers a glimpse of 19th-century architecture, while the archaeological area takes you back to an older period; the weaving activity invites you to take part, while the Netíkových Cross is best understood through the interplay of monument, tree and landscape. You can choose the focus of your trip according to what interests you most about Ohaře.

Church of St. John of Nepomuk

The Church of St. John of Nepomuk is a rectangular late-classical building with a prismatic tower on its west façade. It was built between 1846 and 1848 on the site of a Baroque church that had burned down. The 19th-century church and the history of the earlier church destroyed by fire are therefore part of a continuous architectural history. “Rectangular” describes the shape of the church building, while “prismatic” refers to the shape of the west tower. These terms help distinguish the building itself from the tower as separate architectural features.

Visits to the Church of St. John of Nepomuk are possible by prior arrangement only.

High Medieval archaeological traces

An archaeological area from the High Middle Ages lies in the northern part of Ohaře, towards the church. Archaeological finds have been documented there or are considered likely on reasonable grounds. The distinction matters: a documented find is not the same as one that is reasonably suspected. This period predates the church building of 1846–1848 by a considerable margin, so the area broadens the historical perspective to a much earlier era.

Weaving and a children’s carnival

At Velikonoční pletení pomlázek, anyone interested can learn how to weave pomlázky, with willow rods provided. It is a hands-on activity focused on learning a specific craft. If you like to combine your trip with doing something yourself, weaving offers a different focus from the church and archaeological area.

Masopustní karneval is also a children’s carnival in Ohaře. Unlike weaving, its focus is not learning a craft but a carnival for children. This makes it easy to distinguish the two activities without suggesting they have the same content.

The Netíkových Cross in the agricultural landscape

The Netíkových Cross stands southeast of Ohaře, beside a road in open agricultural landscape. A large lime tree stands right next to it and serves as a prominent natural feature. The surroundings shape the impression as much as the monument itself. Unlike the church, which is described in terms of architecture and building history, this site is defined by the interplay of the cross, the tree and the open agricultural landscape. If you want to distinguish between your interests in buildings and landscapes, this landmark offers a clearly different focus.

Discover more destinations: Žehuň, Žiželice, Skvrňov, Velký Osek, Veltruby, Uhlířská Lhota, Zásmuky, Dobřichov

For the overview of the wider region: Kolín District.