Čerčany is a municipality and village in Benešov District in the Central Bohemian Region in the Czech Republic. It has about 3,100 inhabitants.

Administrative parts

The village of Vysoká Lhota is an administrative part of Čerčany.

Etymology

The original name of the settlement was Črnčany and was derived from the personal name Črnek or Črnec. The personal name itself was derived from černý (i.e. 'black').

Geography

Čerčany is located about 7 km north of Benešov and 24 km southeast of Prague. It lies in the Benešov Uplands. The highest point is the hill Čerčanský chlum at 530 m above sea level. The Sázava River flows through the municipality.

History

The first written mention of Čerčany is from 1356. The turning point was the construction of the railway from Prague to České Budějovice, which was completed in 1871, and Čerčany became a railway junction thanks to it. This contributed to the growth of the settlement, which at that time was part of Lštění. Čerčany has become a popular holiday resort. In 1919, Čerčany became an independent municipality.

Demographics

Transport

The I/3 road, which is part of the European route E55, passes through Čerčany. Čerčany is located on the railway line Prague–Benešov. It is also the starting point of the railway line to Ledeč nad Sázavou.

Sights

In Vysoká Lhota is the Vysoká Lhota Castle. It was first documented in 1550. Baroque reconstruction took place in the 1740s. Today there is a museum of carriages and wagons, and an exhibition about the history of the castle.

Notable people