Molitorov

Molitorov is a small village roughly 1.2 km southwest of the historic town of Kouřim, in the Kolín District of central Bohemia. It has formally been part of Kouřim since 1848, though the settlement itself is far older — the first written record dates back to 1654, when a tax register listed a manor here belonging to Jiří Molitor of Mühlfeld, whose surname most likely gave the village its name. Today Molitorov is a quiet outskirt of Kouřim, best known for two things: its historic château and a golf course stretching along the edge of the Elbe (Polabí) plain.

What can you see in Molitorov?

The main draw is Molitorov Château, one of the more interesting early-20th-century architectural works in the Kolín region. The original manor house was built here in the mid-17th century as part of the estate's farm buildings. Its present form results from a late-18th-century reconstruction, followed by a thorough remodeling in 1910–1911 designed by the noted architect Dušan Samuel Jurkovič, known for blending folk building traditions with Art Nouveau aesthetics. Since 1965 the château has been protected as a cultural monument, underscoring its architectural value for the whole region.

The second attraction, drawing a growing number of visitors each year, is Golf Club Molitorov — a golf course located southeast of Prague, right next to the historic town of Kouřim. The front nine winds through a mature cherry orchard, giving the course a distinctive, picturesque character in spring when the trees are in bloom. The back nine opens onto the flat, open Polabí plain, offering long fairways, deep bunkers, and tall rough grasses typical of this exposed, windswept part of the Czech countryside.

The village itself is tiny — only 52 addresses were recorded here in 2011 — which keeps it feeling calm and rural, a clear contrast to the tourist activity in neighboring, historic Kouřim.

How do you get to Molitorov?

The village sits so close to Kouřim that the easiest way to reach it is on foot or by car — the distance is barely about 1.2 km. Kouřim has good road connections to Kolín and to Prague, less than an hour's drive away. Visitors exploring Kouřim on foot, for instance while walking along the town walls and historic center, can easily extend their outing with a short walk to Molitorov as part of a wider day trip through the region.

When is the best time to visit?

Molitorov has a distinctly seasonal character, largely tied to golf and the cherry orchard lining the front nine holes. Spring brings blossoming trees and the most striking views, while summer is peak season for playing the course. Autumn, on the other hand, is well suited to quiet walks to the château — the lower autumn light flatters the details of Jurkovič's architecture, and the area is noticeably less crowded than during the busy summer months.

Frequently asked questions

Is Molitorov an independent village? Not formally — since 1848 it has been part of the town of Kouřim, though it keeps its own name and identity as a settlement with roots going back to the 17th century.

What is Molitorov's biggest attraction? The château remodeled to Dušan Samuel Jurkovič's design in 1910–1911, and, for sports fans, Golf Club Molitorov with its cherry orchard along the front nine.

Where does the village's name come from? It most likely comes from Jiří Molitor of Mühlfeld, the owner of the manor recorded in the 1654 tax register.

Can you visit the château in Molitorov? The château has been a protected cultural monument since 1965, but public access is limited — it's worth checking current visiting information locally or in Kouřim before planning a trip.