Ohaveč – Village Square, History and the Ostruženské Ponds

Ohaveč combines an unusually long settlement history with a modest village square and protected landscape features. Those wishing to combine historical traces and natural surroundings on a trip to the Czech Republic will find tangible points of interest here: the area is connected with the nearby Prachov Rocks, while the Velišský Ridge and the Ostruženské Ponds can be seen from the village square.

Early Settlement Traces and a Medieval Village

The area around Ohaveč was already settled between the 6th and 5th millennia BC and belonged to the settlement area of the nearby Prachov Rocks. This early period is more than just a date: archaeological investigations in the area uncovered at least 90 features, including huts and pits. Numerous stone tools and pottery fragments have also been found. The archaeological traces range from structural remains to individual objects from the early settlement phase around Ohaveč. This gives visitors a tangible connection to a landscape whose history began long before the settlement forms visible today.

The medieval village of Ohaveč was first mentioned in 1327. The development of the village can therefore be traced through several clearly distinguishable periods, without reducing Ohaveč to a single historical era.

The Village Square as a Point of Reference

When travelling from Sobotka to Jičín, the road passes through Ohaveč. The picturesque village square lies a few dozen metres to the south and forms a distinct point of reference within the village. From here, there is a view of the Velišský Ridge. At the same time, the view extends down towards the Ostruženské Ponds. Travellers with different interests can therefore observe both the settlement structure and the surrounding landscape from the same place.

Your choice can be guided by whether you wish to focus on local history, the landscape views or the protected ponds.

The Ostruženské Ponds and Protected Nature

The Ostruženské Ponds natural monument lies in the cadastral areas of Březina, Ohaveč and Ostružno. The protected area includes the Ostruženský, Turecká and Čeperka ponds, with reed beds and adjacent wet meadows.

The Ostruženské Ponds are also one of the most important ornithological areas in the Hradec Králové Region. This classification reflects the protected area's specialist significance. Another protected natural feature in Ohaveč is the Ohavečská lime tree, which has been designated as a protected memorial tree. It was first placed under protection on 21 May 2008.

Historical Turning Points from Veliš to Friedland

The village's political history can also be traced through specific dates. Before 1487, Ohaveč was incorporated into the then-expanding Veliš estate of the Trčka of Lípa family. In 1622, under Albrecht von Wallenstein, Ohaveč became part of the Duchy of Friedland. Together with the first mention in 1327, this creates a concise historical sequence that places the village within the region's changing spheres of rule.

Other Places to Search

If you would like to compare other destinations in addition to Ohaveč, you will find Chomutice, Bukovina U Pecky, Mlázovice, Svatojanský Újezd, Podhradí U Jičína, Nemyčeves, Luzany U Jicína, and Bílsko U Hořic in the same selection.

For the higher-level travel overview: Jičín District.