The Graves of the Forefathers

The legendary forefather Čech lived and died in the village on the southeastern foot of Říp. Hájek of Libočany states this in his Chronicle and dates the death to 661. According to the same author, Duke Krok is also buried here. Local legend places Čech’s grave where the tip of Ctíněves church casts its shadow at noon. Another local tale locates it among a group of tall poplars visible on the village’s left edge when viewed from Říp. It is also said that the grave lies east of the church, on a rise once called Želiv, where the forefather’s body rests facing sunrise with golden weapons and a golden hen and chicks. Legend says that a ploughman working here with a pair of black, or piebald, cows will find it.