Žehuň: Hotels and Accommodation

The Žehuňský Pond is the largest pond in the Central Bohemian Region and is 5.5 km long. It is an important habitat for waterbirds: 145 bird species breed here, and more than 260 bird species have been recorded in total.

Nature

The use of Žehuňský Pond for sporting activities is not permitted for economic reasons. To protect nesting birds, the bank and littoral vegetation of Žehuňský Pond must not be entered from 1 April to 31 July.

In the vicinity of Žehuň, the Kněžičky National Nature Reserve protects thermophilous oak forests, steppe and forest-steppe habitats, seasonally wet depressions, and the associated rare and endangered plant and animal species.

Culture

The present-day Church of St. Gothard in Žehuň was built from 1753 to 1762 and belongs to the East Bohemian, or Hradec, Late Baroque artistic circle of František Kermer. Its church tower offered views over the surrounding area. The Church of St. Gothard and the ossuary in Žehuň are currently temporarily closed.

The Žehuň ossuary was built in 1765–1766 to piously preserve bones from the graves of the old cemetery; it also served as a mortuary. The human bones are arranged decoratively in a U-shape.

Near the school stands a statue of Saint John of Nepomuk. It was made by František Richter from Hořice and replaced the previous, dilapidated statue in 1832. The Václavík Mill in Žehuň is listed in the Central Register of Immovable Cultural Monuments of the Czech Republic under number 50199/2–4425.

History

A Celtic settlement in Žehuň was permanently inhabited from the 6th to the 1st century BC and covered approximately 12.5 hectares. The remains of the Na Zámečku fortification now lie at the bottom of the pond called Žehuňský Pond. They are visible when the pond is drained before fish harvesting, but become increasingly difficult to discern from year to year.

Paths and Events

Together with unmarked field and forest paths, the blue-marked Kolín–Žehuň–Rožďalovice hiking trail provides partial access to the Kozí hůra Natura 2000 site.

The “History of the Knight Prokop” educational trail passes through Žehuň and the surrounding area, is approximately 3 km long, and includes seven information boards focusing on history and nature. The educational trail is currently temporarily out of service.

The second documented ŽeRUN race took place on 11 May 2025 in Žehuň near the cemetery. The programme included 5 km and 10 km races as well as children’s races.

More local pages: Vitice, Polní Voděrady, Hradešín, Ratenice, Poříčany, Choťovice, Veltruby, Dolní Chvatliny

To the higher-level travel overview: Kolín District.