Pochvalov: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

Pochvalov lies below the northeastern slopes of the Džbán Plateau and within the deep Křivoklátské Forests. Between its natural surroundings, local history and preserved cultural monuments, a multifaceted picture of this Czech village emerges.

Natural Surroundings

The Pochvalovská stráň National Nature Reserve lies within the cadastral area of Pochvalov, about two kilometres east of the village. It contains an exposed marlstone wall formed in Cretaceous sandy marls and shaped by landslides. Pochvalovská stráň protects communities on marl outcrops with bearberry and alpine boxwood, as well as thermophilous shrubs, thermophilous oak forests and ravine and scree forests.

A local stream in Pochvalov flows into a small pond. The forest edges and clearings around Pochvalov are suitable for recreation; the landscape is particularly appealing to photographers and painters. The forests around Pochvalov are also suitable for mushroom picking.

Paths and Surroundings

No marked hiking trail passes through Pochvalov. However, blue- or red-marked trails can be found nearby. Džbán Mountain is in the immediate vicinity of Pochvalov, while Loustín Mountain is in the surrounding area. Pozdeňský les [Mšec] is also located in the surrounding area. Králka Hill [Kroučová] lies nearby.

The ruins of Pravda Castle are also located in the vicinity of Pochvalov. The nearby ruins of Pravda Castle stand on a limestone spur between Domoušice and Pnětluky. Almost the entire surrounding wall, as well as the masonry of the entrance gate, the palace and a building with a cellar, has been preserved.

History and Village Character

The first written mention of Pochvalov dates from 13 July 1346. A hard-coal deposit was discovered beneath the village. Underground mining at the Jiřina mine near Pochvalov was discontinued in the mid-20th century.

The Chapel of St Procopius, the most important and at the same time the only cultural landmark of Pochvalov, stands in the village centre. The large Baroque village-square chapel has a tower with an onion dome, a rectangular nave, an apsidal chancel and a sacristy added to the side.

The village has also been preserved in literature: Pochvalov appears in Václav Beneš Třebízský's historical novel Bludné duše as a village almost overgrown by forests. Four traditional legends are also associated with Pochvalov and its surroundings.

Culture in the Surrounding Area

Nearby Dřevíč is a fortified area of about 11 hectares on a flat, partly wooded summit of a spur of the Džbán range. The site is also home to the Baroque Church of St Wenceslas, dating from the late 17th century.

The Church of U Svatého Gotharda is located in the vicinity of Pochvalov. In the wider surrounding region lie the ruins of Hazmburk and the ruins of Týřov.

Other Places

Other location pages: Cista U Rakovnika, Kounov, Sýkořice, Zbečno, Pavlíkov, Krupá, Třtice, Městečko.

To the higher-level travel overview: Rakovník District.