Kadov
Parish Church of St. Wenceslas — Originally the parish church of St. Wenceslas, consisting of a square presbytery and a longitudinal nave. It was built of masonry and covered with bark shingles. The interior was lit by several small narrow windows. Inside were three altars dedicated to St. Wenceslas, the Virgin Mary, and St. John of Nepomuk. In the bell tower there were three small bells, and around the church spread a cemetery. On account of its age and poor condition, Count Jan František Kristián Sweerts-Sporck, lord of Lnáře, had the church demolished and at his own expense built the present baroque Church of St. Wenceslas with three cupolas and a tower. On 12 June 1765 a commemorative document was placed in the dome, according to which the following worked on the construction: Kašpar Švankmajer — master mason, Jiří Kaplan — master carpenter, and Jan Šole — master blacksmith. The new church was ceremonially consecrated on 29 September 1765. In the choir loft are organs from 1768. Also worthy of notice are the cross on the baptismal font and the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes. In the sacristy the tombstones of Jan Záborský of Brloho, Ofka of Kladrubce and Jan Čabuzský of Prosté are still preserved. The tombstones of Alex. Záborský of Brloho, his wife Kat. Záborská of Jilmanice and the first Kadov parish priest Mat. Rybička are set into the eastern wall of the sacristy. A tombstone with the likenesses of two children of Alb. Záborský is built into the wall at the northern entrance to the cemetery. Burials in this cemetery ceased around 1850. On the tower adorned with a clock hang three bells — two from 1760 and one recast in 1840. A missionary cross was erected at the main entrance in 1899.
The Rectory — The rectory can be found to the north-west of the church, behind the school building. The rectory building was constructed in 1758. The oldest baptismal register dates from 1660; the memorial book was established in 1761.
The Old Stronghold — The old stronghold was originally a wooden squire's residence surrounded by a moat. The first squire was Racek of Žihobce, who in 1362 was the patron of the church. The former stronghold was converted into a granary at the beginning of the 20th century. The northern wing was raised and likewise converted into a granary. In the western wing both Renaissance gables with a bay window and three large cellars have been preserved. Around 1661 there was also a brewery at the stronghold, in which the brewer Martin Sosna brewed beer. The stronghold also had a garden renowned for rare species of flowers and trees. The moats were planted with a rare species of linden tree, whose leaves resembled clerical skull-caps. They were felled in 1749.
The Chapel with the Count's Tomb — Formerly a fine avenue of trees led to the Chapel of the Finding of the Holy Cross. The chapel was built in a simple Gothic style; its ground plan is in the shape of a cross. The foundation stone was laid on 25 April 1856 by Count Václav Linker of Luxemburg, lord of Lnáře. The building was completed and consecrated in 1863. Founding masses were celebrated in the chapel several times a year. Linden trees were planted around the chapel and a cemetery was also established here. The cemetery has been in use since 1680. In 1887 a mortuary chamber was built in the cemetery. In the centre of the cemetery stands an iron cross.
The Kadov Rocking Stone — The Rocking Stone is located in a small grove opposite the Village Office in Kadov. It is a large granite stone whose centre of gravity rests on a protruding rock. This stone could be moved very easily. Its formation is explained by the gradual weathering of the rock. Some archaeologists see in the stone a sacrificial site of the old pagan gods. The height of the stone is 1.5 m, its weight is around 30 tonnes and its circumference measures 11 m. At the end of the 19th century the Rocking Stone was forcibly toppled and lay on the ground until 1983. In that year a team of enthusiasts under the leadership of Ing. Pavel Pavel restored it to its original position. The stone remained there for four years and was then toppled again. In 1987 it was returned to its correct position and fitted with wedges that prevent movement and thus injuries that could occur should it fall again. The Rocking Stone has been declared a protected natural formation.
Giant Pots in Granite Boulders — Another popular granite feature is a huge granite boulder with several bowl-shaped hollows, located at the hill called Vysoký, lying between Kadov and Málkov to the east of the road. It is told of this stone that St. Adalbert (Vojtěch) preached the teachings of Christ here and fell asleep from weariness upon it. Further stones, also known for their bowl-shaped hollows, are found at the hill called Hora, lying beyond Kadov in the direction of Vrbno to the south of the road. Hora, with the highest surveying point, once offered a magnificent view of the surrounding countryside. Today this spot is overgrown with tall trees.
The Rectory — The rectory can be found to the north-west of the church, behind the school building. The rectory building was constructed in 1758. The oldest baptismal register dates from 1660; the memorial book was established in 1761.
The Old Stronghold — The old stronghold was originally a wooden squire's residence surrounded by a moat. The first squire was Racek of Žihobce, who in 1362 was the patron of the church. The former stronghold was converted into a granary at the beginning of the 20th century. The northern wing was raised and likewise converted into a granary. In the western wing both Renaissance gables with a bay window and three large cellars have been preserved. Around 1661 there was also a brewery at the stronghold, in which the brewer Martin Sosna brewed beer. The stronghold also had a garden renowned for rare species of flowers and trees. The moats were planted with a rare species of linden tree, whose leaves resembled clerical skull-caps. They were felled in 1749.
The Chapel with the Count's Tomb — Formerly a fine avenue of trees led to the Chapel of the Finding of the Holy Cross. The chapel was built in a simple Gothic style; its ground plan is in the shape of a cross. The foundation stone was laid on 25 April 1856 by Count Václav Linker of Luxemburg, lord of Lnáře. The building was completed and consecrated in 1863. Founding masses were celebrated in the chapel several times a year. Linden trees were planted around the chapel and a cemetery was also established here. The cemetery has been in use since 1680. In 1887 a mortuary chamber was built in the cemetery. In the centre of the cemetery stands an iron cross.
The Kadov Rocking Stone — The Rocking Stone is located in a small grove opposite the Village Office in Kadov. It is a large granite stone whose centre of gravity rests on a protruding rock. This stone could be moved very easily. Its formation is explained by the gradual weathering of the rock. Some archaeologists see in the stone a sacrificial site of the old pagan gods. The height of the stone is 1.5 m, its weight is around 30 tonnes and its circumference measures 11 m. At the end of the 19th century the Rocking Stone was forcibly toppled and lay on the ground until 1983. In that year a team of enthusiasts under the leadership of Ing. Pavel Pavel restored it to its original position. The stone remained there for four years and was then toppled again. In 1987 it was returned to its correct position and fitted with wedges that prevent movement and thus injuries that could occur should it fall again. The Rocking Stone has been declared a protected natural formation.
Giant Pots in Granite Boulders — Another popular granite feature is a huge granite boulder with several bowl-shaped hollows, located at the hill called Vysoký, lying between Kadov and Málkov to the east of the road. It is told of this stone that St. Adalbert (Vojtěch) preached the teachings of Christ here and fell asleep from weariness upon it. Further stones, also known for their bowl-shaped hollows, are found at the hill called Hora, lying beyond Kadov in the direction of Vrbno to the south of the road. Hora, with the highest surveying point, once offered a magnificent view of the surrounding countryside. Today this spot is overgrown with tall trees.
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Further information: www.kadov.net