Time stood still in Dolní Počernice. The year is 1776. A devastating fire swept through the village. Imagine the flames licking at the old manor house. The flames consumed the manor’s wine cellar. Four farmsteads and three cottages were reduced to ashes.
Dolní Počernice a small village then part of Prague 14. It has a rich history dating back to the 14th century. Its first written record was in that century. The village became officially part of Prague in 1974. But Dolní Počernice’s story goes much further back.
Archaeological evidence reveals settlements dating back to the Eneolithic period. Around 4000 years BC people from the Řivnáč culture lived here. They built a palisade settlement. Later inhabitants moved closer to the Rokytka stream. They left traces near the pond especially in a former sandpit.
Between 1800 and 1700 BC a large settlement of the Únětice culture flourished. It had an unusual extensive cemetery. The dead were buried in a crouched position. After a long gap a settlement from the Roman era appeared. Dwellings were dug into the sand.
Early Slavic settlers chose a location near ancient roads. They settled near the Trstenice path and other important roads. The earliest settlement was probably near a ford across the Rokytka stream. It was on a slightly elevated slope with sandy soil. The irregular outline of the old farmsteads shows the ancient origins of the settlement.
The village grew expanding its land over time. By the late 12th century it was likely a feudal possession. Perhaps a knight or a landowner gave it its name. The name Počernice might be derived from that person’s name.
The 13th century saw a change in the village layout. In the 14th century wealthy Prague citizens became the feudal lords. They owned the manor and village. By the late 15th century the construction of the Great Počernice pond began. It was a major change to the landscape.
The Renaissance period saw significant building activity by Matěj and Jan Hlíka between 1562 and 1595. Then in 1776 the great fire devastated Dolní Počernice. The Counts Sweerts-Špork built a new late Baroque manor house. A new distillery was also built. The move of the farm activities allowed the creation of a romantic English-style park. This park is part of the Počernice Pond nature reserve.
The 19th century saw the building of the state Prague-Olomouc railway line. It was finished in 1845. This separated the old village from the new railway embankment with an arched underpass. A new manor house was built in 1857. It was designed by architect V. Bělský for the Counts Dercsényi. The old mill was demolished. A new mill in English Neo-Gothic style was built.
The 20th and 30s saw a building boom. New residential areas developed. A new district called “V ráji” emerged. Building expanded in “Na vinici”. Further growth happened south of the main road. This area is bordered by the Hostavický stream. It is known as Vinohrady. It has a generous layout plan. The main road was rerouted. The unfinished result is today’s wide street called “Úpická”.
The modern era saw the construction of the Prague Ring Road. This significantly reduced traffic in Dolní Počernice. The Štěrboholy radial road was completed diverting traffic. The village saw extensive renovations of its roads. It has modern infrastructure. New sports facilities and recreational areas are now available.
Dolní Počernice has successfully blended its historic character with modern amenities. Its history continues to shape its identity today. The spirit of Dolní Počernice endures.