Kamýk u Velkých Přílep

Tucked away within the larger municipality of Velké Přílepy lies Kamýk u Velkých Přílep, a village steeped in history. Kamýk u Velkých Přílep isn’t just a name on a map. It’s a place where echoes of the past resonate through centuries of human activity. The area, including nearby archaeological sites in Únětice, Černý Vůl, and Libčice nad Vltavou, holds the distinction of being one of the oldest continuously inhabited regions in Bohemia. Imagine life here during the Neolithic era. Archaeological excavations have unearthed a treasure trove of artifacts, revealing a rich tapestry of life from various prehistoric periods. One of the most significant discoveries at Kamýk u Velkých Přílep is a large Neolithic settlement dating back to the Late Stone Age. This settlement, located where Dvořákova and Smetanova streets now stand, represents the largest known settlement of the Funnelbeaker culture in Bohemia. Another key discovery lies on the southern edge of Kamýk u Velkých Přílep. In a location known as “Ženíškov field,” a substantial settlement dating back to the Únětice culture of the Early Bronze Age was unearthed. Kamýk u Velkých Přílep has also revealed secrets from later periods. A large equestrian grave from the Migration Period further underscores the continuous human presence in this area. Kamýk u Velkých Přílep wasn’t always the quiet village you see today. Initially, it was part of the estates belonging to the Benedictine nuns of St. George’s Convent in Prague. During the tumultuous Hussite Wars, Kamýk was seized from the nuns. It wasn’t until 1572 that the village was returned to the convent. After the convent’s dissolution in 1782, Kamýk u Velkých Přílep fell under the control of the royal chamber, eventually being sold to the prominent Austrian field marshal Rudolf Count Špork in 1797. The village’s fate continued to shift throughout the 19th century, eventually resting with the Barons Dlouhoveský of Dlouhá Ves. By this time, after the abolition of serfdom, only the farm at house number 18 remained under their ownership. Kamýk u Velkých Přílep also held a vibrant Jewish community, evidenced by a synagogue situated at the crossroads leading to Noutonice and Lichoceves. The village has borne witness to much, including active anti-fascist resistance during World War II. Sadly, the resistance was crushed, and many members were imprisoned, as documented in the “Přílepský Zpravodaj” of Spring 1945. While not overflowing with traditional historic buildings, Kamýk u Velkých Přílep holds a special charm. The original folk architecture may be scarce, but the village’s history is woven into the very fabric of its being. One noteworthy structure, a baroque granary within the Kamýk courtyard, still stands as a testament to the village’s past. It now houses a restaurant, inviting visitors to savor both the present moment and the whispers of history.