Louňovice

Did Louňovice always exist? No. Archaeological research suggests a settlement existed here as early as the first half of the 13th century. Louňovice itself was first officially mentioned in 1407. Louňovice sits nestled in the Benešov Uplands about 19 kilometers east of Prague. The highest point reaches 498 meters above sea level. The name “Louňovice” comes from the personal name “Louň,” meaning “the village of Louň’s people.” The Jevanský potok stream flows through Louňovice. It feeds two fishponds, Louňovák and Pařez. A small part of the Voděradské bučiny National Nature Reserve extends into the southern part of the municipality. While Louňovice has no protected cultural monuments, there’s a unique attraction: the Kamenický skanzen. This small open-air museum highlights Louňovice’s historical link with granite mining. It showcases stonemasonry and granite products. Interestingly, the cornerstone of the National Theatre in Prague came from Louňovice. A small monument in Louňovice commemorates this fact. You might be surprised to know that Louňovice, despite its quiet charm, is connected to a major thoroughfare. The I/2 road from Prague to Kutná Hora and Pardubice runs directly through the municipality. This makes Louňovice easily accessible for visitors. Louňovice started as a small village of farmsteads in the early 13th century. Its original layout is still preserved in the Dolní náves (Lower Square). Initially, Louňovice belonged to the last Přemyslids. Then, it came under the rule of the Tehov estate. Later, it fell under the Kostelec nad Černými lesy domain. Since the abolishment of serfdom, Louňovice has been an independent municipality. The village retained its medieval appearance until the late 18th century. Then, the original farmsteads began dividing. This led to the rise of the cottage-masonry Horní náves (Upper Square). Louňovice’s agricultural character gradually declined from the late 19th century. This shift completed by the mid-20th century. Old buildings made way for family homes, holiday houses, and cottages. As you stand in Louňovice today, you’re experiencing layers of history. From its humble beginnings as a farming village to its connection with the grand National Theatre, Louňovice offers a unique glimpse into Czech heritage.