Řimovice – History, Landscape and Living Traditions

Řimovice combines a rural landscape, historical traces and unusual local traditions. The Chapel of the Elevation of the Holy Cross shapes the appearance of the village square. The surrounding area consists predominantly of varied forests and fields. This creates a destination where culture and nature can be experienced not through major attractions, but through specific places, stories and community customs.

Historical Traces and Two Chapels

The first historical mention of Řimovice dates back to 1380 and is connected with Jan Očko of Vlašim, who later became the second Archbishop of Prague. The chapels also give the village a clearly recognizable historical depth. The Chapel of the Elevation of the Holy Cross dates from 1872. The Chapel of Saint John of Nepomuk in Řimovice was built as early as 1732. Those interested in smaller sacred buildings and local history will therefore find several distinct points of interest here. The two buildings represent different periods: 140 years lie between the construction of the Chapel of Saint John of Nepomuk and that of the Chapel of the Elevation of the Holy Cross. These two sacred buildings thus provide a direct connection between different periods of the village’s history.

Forests, Fields and Cycling

The landscape around Řimovice consists predominantly of forests and fields, with the changing scenery being explicitly varied. The area is suitable for cycling tourism. If you like to spend your days actively while staying connected to the landscape, cycling is therefore one of the clearly documented options available locally. The landscape is not merely an interchangeable backdrop, but forms an integral part of the village’s character. For a cycling tour, this combination means that the surroundings are not shaped by just one type of landscape. Forests and fields create different visual focal points and keep the landscape impression varied.

Traditions and a Unique Event Venue

Traditions such as Masopust, Easter celebrations and the raising of the maypole are maintained in Řimovice. These customs make the village’s annual cycle visible and complement the historic buildings with a vibrant cultural dimension. Another local feature is the “Hospůdka pod hrází”. It is located in the building of the Řimovice municipal office.

The Unusual Water Cup

One particularly distinctive aspect of Řimovice is the Water Cup. The pond-crossing races have been held in Řimovice repeatedly since 1937, with interruptions over time. During the Water Cup, participants cross a wooden bridge by bicycle or in a wheelbarrow; crossing the wooden bridge by bicycle is one of the competitions. For your travel planning, this is an example of how the local event culture consists not only of traditional festivals, but also includes unusual forms of competition. The contrast between a bicycle and a wheelbarrow makes the challenge even more unusual.

More Destinations for Your Search

If you would like to compare other destinations in addition to Řimovice, you can also include Křivsoudov, Drahňovice, Ješetice, Krňany, Trhový Štěpánov, Neveklov, Slapanov and Studený in your research.

For the overarching travel overview: Benešov District.