KADLÍN

A typical farming village, located in central Bohemia in between the towns of Mělník and Mladá Boleslav. The very first reference to Kadlín dates back to as early as 1346. Also, the church of St.Jakub Větší happens to be mentioned in the 14th century. Its history is interesting especially because of the fact that the village was divided between two manorial authorities for some four centuries. This split-minded authority division was not ended until 1849. In the old days, the village would prosper from the fat of the land. Recently, however, the agricultural production has been suffering from depression.

The good old times, more than hundred years back, when the village was still full of people, the job opportunities were abundant and the cultural events plentiful, can be seen on display in the project focusing on pleasure tourism, providing the tourist with various types of experience called: “7 stops in Kadlín.”

BLACKSMITH’S EXPOSITION

At the exposition, you will get to see the blacksmith’s dwelling. Part of the display has been donated by Jan Čákora and Jaromír Hošek, a successor of the blacksmith of Lešetín. Forge hammers, tongs, pincers, forge, as well as items that were forged with the use of these tools on display shall remind you of this traditional craft, which used to be perceived as a crucial characteristic in every single village of the past. The sitting room shows the blacksmith’s wife putting their child to sleep, cooking, doing the washing or drying herbs and mushrooms – she is shown doing all the housework in general. Usually, blacksmith’s wives would also weave fabric on the loom to help provide for the family. The etymology of Kadlín derives from the word “tkadlí” – which word is related to weaving. You are most welcome to assimilate this calm atmosphere of the then village, and we most certainly hope you will find your way back here to embrace this calm over and over again.

FARMING MACHINERY EXPOSITION

This exposition of farming machinery is to be found in the yard. Besides all sorts of craftsmen, even the local blacksmith would do his share of maintenance on this machinery. Carts, horse-drawn sleigh, as well as cow/ox-drawn sleigh are not possible to see these days in the village any longer, just like you will no longer hear hoof beat or the rattle of carriages. The exposition, however, at least attempts to bring those memories back. Apart from resting your eyes on the machinery, you can also rest here on bales of straw, and smell for yourself what it feels like to have soil and crop all around you.

HOES EXPOSITION

It might seem that an ordinary hoe may not offer anything of interest, however its more than a thousand-year history speaks for itself, since the hoe has not gone through any dramatic changes over all those years. We have included hoes in the exposition since it also belonged among one of the blacksmith’s products. The hoes on display range from a hoe found in Hradišť, and a museum piece which once belonged to our ancestors, to hoes forged by blacksmiths. An interesting piece to behold is a 21st century hoe. Come and work your arms, hoeing!

FIELD CROP EXPOSITION

Hoe used to be the one tool for cultivating most of the field crops in the old days. Due to today’s lack of knowledge of these crops, we hope to get you acquainted with all kinds of pulses, cereal and fruit. Getting to lay your hands on them will allow you to realize their importance for our survival. The exposition is further showing various kinds of tools that were once used for cultivating the land and harvesting the crops.

NATURE TRAIL HRADIŠŤ

There is a path outsider the village leading uphill, onto a hillock called Hradišť. We have prepared a little nature trail for you, since there are all sorts of types of unusual grass, cereal and field plants to be found in the surroundings – the trail aims to introduce you to this flora from a broader perspective. Get down in the grass to hear the grass and corn flutter in the wind, maybe even a cricket chirping. Having followed the nature trail to its end, you will then get a chance to climb up the lookout tower Hradišť which offers a gripping view of the ruin Bezděz.

LOOKOUT TOWER HRADIŠŤ

The hillock overlooking the village of Kadlín, on the boundary of Mělník and Mladá Boleslav regions, was formed some 25 million years ago. Accidental archeological excavation findings however prove that there used to be a human settlement on this very location as early as during the Neolithic, and according to Prof. Rudolf Turek even a Celtic settlement used to be here. An amateur archeologist, Father Václav Krolmus (around 1840), maintains that there used to be a pagan sacrificial site, which claims could be supported by various findings of human and animal bones, potsherd fragments, bowls and wedges on the excavation sites. During the reign of Charles IV., the hillock was fortified for protection against marauding knights. The pond Nebešťák, which filled with precipitation water only, was established not far from here by unknown settlers – however, it was drained before 1900. Hradišť also used to be a basalt quarry – the mining was stopped in 1890 though. In 1911 the village had a duct constructed and a water tank was erected up here. Today you will come up here by an asphalt road running from Kadlín. The road was built in 2003, as the contemporary local authority had decided to build the lookout tower. In fine weather, the lookout tower on Hradišť offers views of Říp, Bezděz, Chlum, as well the Krkonoše ranges – in other words, the whole of land of our forefather Čech. Hradišť stands 314,2 m above the sea level and many of its visitors claim that they come up here to draw strength and positive energy. Of course, you are most welcome to return for visits of calm here.

ST.JAKUB VĚTŠÍ CHURCH

Squatting upon a hillock in the center of the village is a church, nowadays in a baroque style. In front of the gate keeps guard a stump of a lime tree, planted around the year 1400, and a campanile from the beginning of the 16th century. As a motif, the church has been frequently incorporated into many works of painters and artists. The church, however, also provides space for annual exhibits thanks to its muse-invoking atmosphere.