Pochvalov: Hotels and Accommodation

Pochvalov lies below the northeastern slopes of the Džbán Highlands and in the deep Křivoklát Forests. The cadastral area of the municipality contains the Pochvalovská stráň National Nature Reserve, about two kilometres east of the village.

Natural Environment

Pochvalovská stráň contains an exposed marlstone wall. It formed in Cretaceous sandy marls and is characterised by landslides. The area 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 the village are suitable for recreation; the landscape around Pochvalov is especially appealing to photographers and painters. The forests around Pochvalov are also suitable for mushroom picking.

No marked hiking trail passes through Pochvalov. Nearby, however, you can join trails marked in blue or red.

History and Local Culture

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

The Chapel of St. Procopius is the most important and also the only cultural landmark in Pochvalov, and stands in the centre of the village. It is a large Baroque village-square chapel with a tower topped by an onion dome, a rectangular nave, an apse-ended presbytery, and a sacristy added on the side.

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

Pochvalov appears in Václav Beneš Třebízský’s historical novel Bludné duše as a village almost overgrown by forests. Four traditional legends are associated with Pochvalov and its surroundings.

Places in the Surrounding Area

The ruins of Pravda Castle are located around Pochvalov. Džbán Mountain and Králka Hill [Kroučová] are in the immediate vicinity, while Loustín Mountain, Pozdeňský les Mountain [Mšec], and the Church of U Svatého Gotharda are located in the surrounding area.

The ruins of Hazmburk and the ruins of Týřov lie in the wider regional surroundings of Pochvalov.

The nearby ruins of Pravda Castle stand on a limestone spur between Domoušice and Pnětluky. Almost the entire perimeter wall survives, along with masonry from the entrance gate, the palace, and a building with a cellar.

Other Places

Malinová, Hořesedly, Kounov, Hvozd U Rakovníka, Oráčov, Velká Buková, Pustověty, Městečko

For the higher-level travel overview: Rakovník District.