The pearl of the South Bohemian folk baroque on the UNESCO list

Holasovice is among the most picturesque villages in the Czech Republic. The village is the best example of a preserved complex of houses built in the South Bohemian folk baroque style from the second half of the 19th Century. At the same time Holasovice is not an open-air museum but a permanently inhabited village whose residents live a normal life. The only difference for the people of Holasovice since the village was included in the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List in 1998 is the curious tourists wandering behind the windows of their homes. 

Unlike anywhere else in the world

The village features 23 listed farm dwellings including cowsheds, barns, stables, granaries, gates and various types of period fencing. It comprises 120 buildings in total which make up a unique collection of historic buildings. The houses are organised in a rectangular shape surrounding the 210m by 70m village square. Most of the houses also have a small front garden housing a water pump with a wooden trough. This all contributes to the truly unforgettable atmosphere of the place.

Parade showcasing local customs

Every year the penultimate weekend in July in Holasovice is dedicated to the “Farmers´ Festival’’ which showcases more than 230 traditional and almost forgotten crafts from Bohemia, Moravia and Slovakia. In house No. 6 there is a Farmer´s Yard which is The Museum of Farm Life with more than 250 objects illustrating the way of life and farming in the village until the first half of the 20th Century. Visitors can also pop in to a pottery workshop located just off the main square which has been producing cups, tea and coffee sets, jugs, bowls, decorative tiles, flower pots and small garden sculptures for many years now. Should you fall in love with the folk baroque, rent a bike and set out to discover more examples of this fascinating architectural style because there are a many other villages in the area where you can find traces of it. You can also climb the hill above the village where there is a large stone circle, known as the Holasovice Stonehenge, which was built recently by the locals. All of the stones come from Holasovice and the formation is said to have healing effects. Apart from that the view of the village and the surrounding area from the top of the hill is second to none.

The mountain of Klet will enchant you

The nearby mountain of Klet offers even a better view of the South Bohemian countryside. At 1084m it is the highest peak of the Blanensky les mountain range. The view-tower at the top of Klet is the oldest stone-built view-tower in Bohemia, it is 20m high and it takes 110 steps to reach the top. When the weather is favourable you can see as far as the peaks of the Alps. In 1925, one century after the view-tower was built, a mountain chalet with guest house and restaurant was built alongside. It is possible to walk or cycle to the top of Klet or take a cable car for those wanting to save energy. The cable car was put into operation in 1961 and it measures 1752m. Just a few steps below the mountain peak there is also an observatory and a 180m tall TV tower.

Watch out for the boulder of Ceske Budejovice

The real gem of Ceske Budejovice is its historic city centre with numerous valuable secular as well as ecclesiastical buildings. The square ranges among the largest in Europe and forms a perfect square measuring of 133m by 133m. In the middle of the square there is the baroque Samson´s Fountain which is the largest of its kind in Bohemia. Only a few metres away from the fountain there is a boulder in the ground and the legend says that he who steps on it after 10 o´clock at night will never find his way back home. The baroque town hall and the arcades surrounding the square are also unique. It is well worth the effort climbing up the nearby Black Tower which is 46m high. Ceske Budejovice is, above all, renowned for its delicious beer. Budvar has been brewed here for more than 700 years and it goes particularly well with some fantastic local specialities in the Masne kramy restaurant located in a long corner building which originally served as a meat and bread market.

Enjoy some romance at the castle

Just 11km from Ceske Budejovice above the Vltava valley stands one of the most visited castles of South Bohemia – the Hluboka Castle. Hluboka is the most significant neo-gothic building of the Czech Republic which was inspired by the English royal castle of Windsor. The castle is surrounded by a beautiful English park with many precious plants and is ideal for relaxing walks. With its 140 rooms and 11 towers the castle offers a variety of tours for visitors. It is accessible all year round and given its fantastic facilities it is a popular place for weddings.

Zoo Ohrada protects the otters

The zoo is located near the Ohrada hunting castle on the banks of Municky pond and offers a stunning view of the Hluboka Castle. It is the smallest but at the same time one of the oldest Czech zoos which opened to the public in 1939. The zoo is home to 150 different species of animals mostly native to Europe and Asia. Spacious glass pools are home to river otters which the zoo specialises in breeding and protecting. It is the only kind of otter that is native to the Czech Republic.

Taste the Czech cuisine

While discovering South Bohemia don´t forget to try some local specialities. The region is particularly famous for its meat and fish. Typical South Bohemian soup is “kulajda” with mushrooms, dill and eggs. Among other popular local dishes are potato pancakes, “hairy” dumplings, goulash and carp all styles. South Bohemian cuisine is simple, varied and very tasty.

CzechTourism is a state-funded agency of the Ministry for Regional Development. Its main activity is to promote the Czech Republic as an attractive tourist destination. More information is available at http://scandinavia.czechtourism.com.