A visit to the ‘enchanted monk’ menhir at Drahomyšl, between Žatec and Louny: 1 km

• The Czech Republic has surprisingly few ancient standing stones (menhirs), so finding a large one in the middle of a rape field overlooking the majestic České středohoří mountains is quite special. Located just off a farm track near the village of Drahomyšl in the Louny district, the Zakletý Mnich menhir is one of the largest in the country. It is estimated to weigh more than two tons.
• The stone was clearly erected in a prehistoric period, but has yet to be properly dated. The fertile lower Ohře valley was extensively and continuously populated from the earliest Neolithic period. It could therefore have been standing on this low hill overlooking the Ohře valley for anything from 2500 to 6000 years. The quartzite stone itself is estimated to be 25 million years old. Interestingly, there is no evidence of similar stones in the local area. Whoever erected it brought the 2 ton stone some considerable distance – an impressive effort. What its purpose was, we shall probably never know…
• The stone gained its name from a 17th century legend of a young monk from Žatec who fell in love with a local girl. The couple attempted to elope but were discovered by monastery’s prior. The unfortunate monk was cursed by the prior and immediately turned to stone. The girl suffered an even worse fate – she was accused of being a witch and burnt at the stake.
• The fastest way to reach the menhir is to drive (or take the bus) to the village of Drahomyšl, just off the main road between Žatec and Louny. There are are places to park next to the village pond.

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Directions

• The stone is 400m along the farm track from the pond on the left side – there is a small signpost pointing towards the menhir