Smilkov is situated in a hilly landscape on the edge of Česká Sibiř and Český Merán. The village combines a long history of lordship, Baroque garden architecture and striking buildings to create a multifaceted townscape.
Culture and history
A fortress already stood in Smilkov in the mid-14th century. The local landowners adopted the name „Lords of Smilkov“ from this fortress. Smilkov Castle has stood since the end of the 17th century. Smilkov Castle, with its two wings, may have been built on the foundations of an older fortress.
Smilkov's most important landmark is a Baroque castle with two wings. It is surrounded by a castle garden with an amphitheatre decorated with allegorical statues; the Smilkov castle complex also includes the Chapel of St. Anne. A Neo-Gothic chapel stands in the middle of the village square.
The garden theatre of Smilkov is a uniquely designed Baroque garden complex of Italian type. Its terraces, ramps and stairways form an intricately structured architectural composition with a theatrical character above a central basin that has since been filled in.
Water castle and cycling route
Kouty Water Castle was probably built in the 14th century. Today, visitors can view the surviving remains of its rectangular structure.
The „From Miličín through Česká Sibiř“ cycling route is designed for mountain bikes and trekking bikes.
Landscape and regional context
Příkop Pond lies southwest of Smilkov Castle; a well house is located on its southern shore.
Smilkov is one of the twelve municipalities in the Voticko microregion, which cooperate in the Kraj blanických rytířů tourist area.
Other village pages in the directory: Pravonín, Čeřenice, Krcmy, Drachkov, Vracovice, Křivsoudov, Libež, Sázava.
