Smědčice

Smědčice is a municipality and village in Rokycany District in the Plzeň Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 300 inhabitants.

Etymology
The name is derived from the personal name Smědec or Smiedek, meaning "the village of Smědec's/Smiedek's people".

Geography
Smědčice is located about 8 km northwest of Rokycany and 11 km northeast of Plzeň. It lies in the Plasy Uplands. The highest point is at 410 m above sea level. The northern municipal border is formed by the Berounka River. The Klabava River flows to the Berounka along the western municipal border.

History
The first written mention of Smědčice is in a deed of the Chotěšov Abbey from 1243. Until 1581, the village was owned by various lower noblemen. From 1581 until the establishment of an independent municipality in 1848, Smědčice belonged to the Plzeň estate. In 1960–1990, the village was under administration of Bušovice.

Transport
The railway line Radnice–Bezdružice runs through Smědčice, but there is no train station. The municipality is served by the stations in neighbouring Chrást and Sedlecko.

Sights
The main landmark of Smědčice is the Chapel of Saint Wenceslaus. It was built between 1848 and 1875 on the site of an older chapel.