Suchdol (Prag)

Suchdol is a quiet district in the north of Prague, set on the Prague Plateau on the left bank of the Vltava. The area's history stretches back to prehistoric times, with archaeological finds pointing to settlements of the Únětice and Knovíz cultures as well as Celtic burials. The first written mention dates to 1045, when a farmstead was sold to the Benedictine convent of St. George in Prague. Over the centuries the owners changed frequently, before the estate passed to the Benedictine Emmaus Monastery in 1679. During the siege of Prague by Swedish troops, the village was burned to the ground, a reminder of the region's hard history. Today Suchdol is best known as the home of the Czech University of Life Sciences, whose campus was built in 1966, and as a place that developed into a modern satellite community after being incorporated into Prague in 1968.

In Suchdol you can experience a mix of historic buildings and nature-oriented recreation. A central landmark is the Baroque Chapel of St. Wenceslas, which was added in 1755 to an older bell tower on the former plague cemetery and restored in 2005. Also worth seeing is the manor farm, now known as Brandejsův statek. In the late 19th century, under the estate tenant Alexander Brandeis, it became an important meeting place for artists. Renowned painters such as Mikoláš Aleš and Josef Václav Myslbek spent time here; Aleš designed the lunettes for the Prague National Theatre, and Myslbek found the model for his famous equestrian statue of St. Wenceslas. A monument on Suchdolské náměstí commemorates Aleš.

The natural surroundings offer further attractions, especially the Tiché údolí-Roztocký háj nature reserve to the north. Here the rocky spur of Holý vrch with the Alšova vyhlídka viewing platform and the rocky ridge of Kozí hřbety invite you to go hiking. In the valley of the Únětický potok stream you will find historic mills, including Trojanův mlýn and Spálený mlýn, both built in the 18th century. The former inn Na Chumberku, named after the Prussian General Humbert, rounds out the historic picture. The village is served by state road II/241, and the nearest train station is in Sedlec on the banks of the Vltava.