Radouň

Radouň is a small settlement that forms part of the town of Štětí, located in the Litoměřice District of the Ústí nad Labem Region, roughly four kilometres from Štětí's town centre. Despite belonging administratively to a larger town, Radouň has kept a distinctly rural character and draws visitors interested in medieval history and in the region's Jewish heritage.

What is the history behind Radouň?

The earliest written record of Radouň dates back to 1057, making it one of the older settlements in the area around Štětí. Historical sources note that the village was once divided into three sections and that a fortified tower, known locally as a tvrz, stood on its grounds, serving both defensive and residential purposes for local nobility. No trace of this structure survives today, which is typical for many early medieval timber-and-stone fortifications in the region. Its existence is now known only through historical records and local tradition.

What can visitors see in the village centre?

The heart of Radouň is a spacious square reached via the village's main street. The square has been laid out as a small park with tall trees and a modest pond, giving the area a calm, intimate atmosphere. Standing on the square is the Chapel of Saint Florian, built in 1767 in the late Baroque style. The chapel underwent reconstruction twice, in 1866 and again in 1930, reflecting the ongoing care local residents have given this modest but important religious building. Saint Florian, the patron saint of firefighters, was a common dedication for chapels in villages built largely of wood and vulnerable to fire.

Why is the Jewish cemetery worth a visit?

On a hill to the northwest of Radouň lies a partially preserved Jewish cemetery, founded in 1789. The cemetery served a wider community than Radouň alone — burials were also brought here from more distant towns such as Dubá, Štětí, and Hoštka, underlining the site's regional importance to Jewish communities during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Around 200 tombstones of varying styles and periods have survived on the grounds, offering a record of changing funerary customs over the decades. A distinctive feature of the cemetery is its Neo-Romanesque ceremonial hall, topped with a concrete dome — an unusual pairing of historicist architecture with a more modern building material.

How do you get to Radouň?

Radouň lies about four kilometres from the main part of Štětí, with which it forms a single municipal unit. It neighbours several other constituent parts of the town, including Brocno, Čakovice, Chcebuz, Hněvice, Počeplice, Stračí, Újezd, and Veselí, making it a convenient stop for anyone exploring the area around Štětí on the Elbe River.

Frequently asked questions

Are there any remains of the old fortified tower in Radouň? No — historical sources mention a fortified tower (tvrz) that once stood in the village, but no visible trace of it has survived.

When was the chapel on the village square built? The Chapel of Saint Florian dates from 1767, was built in the late Baroque style, and was reconstructed in 1866 and 1930.

Who was the Jewish cemetery in Radouň used by? Founded in 1789, the cemetery served the Jewish community not only of Radouň but also of nearby towns, including Dubá, Štětí, and Hoštka.

How far is Radouň from the centre of Štětí? Radouň is located approximately four kilometres from the main part of the town of Štětí.