Have you ever thought about where Czech presidents come from? You might be surprised to learn that the birthplace of one of them is right here, in Zákolany. This small village, nestled in the rolling landscape north of Prague, has played a vital role in Czech history. What you see today is just a fraction of the rich history of this place.
For centuries, Zákolany was overshadowed by its neighbor, Budeč, a once-powerful fortified encampment founded by the Přemyslid dynasty. The very name “Zákolany” is believed to have derived from the fact that its inhabitants lived outside the castle walls of Budeč – “Zákolany” literally means “those who live outside the walls.”
Budeč became one of the main residences of the early Přemyslids and even served as a place of learning for Saint Wenceslaus, the patron saint of the Czech Republic. Budeč housed a church dedicated to Saint Peter, where Wenceslaus reportedly studied Latin. Today, the remains of a 9th-century rotunda in Budeč offer a glimpse into the past, and its nave is the oldest preserved building in all of the Czech Republic.
But Budeč fell into decline, and Zákolany eventually rose from the shadows. It became known for its “Zákolany polka,” a traditional dance that still bears its name. The polka was even featured in the opera “The Two Widows” by the celebrated Czech composer Bedřich Smetana.
However, Zákolany’s most notable son is Antonín Zápotocký, former president of Czechoslovakia. Zápotocký was born in a modest house in Zákolany in 1884. This village, where a young Antonín spent his childhood, played a crucial role in the development of the future president. Though history has its ups and downs, one thing is constant: Zákolany continues to leave a lasting mark on the Czech landscape.