Krty: Round Village Layout, Granite and Forest Paths

Krty combines a characteristic Slavic round village layout with a distinctive granite history and forest destinations. The Okrouhlice gives the village an unmistakable rural setting, while Krtské skály and other historically documented places offer different ways to experience the landscape and its history. This brings the village character, architectural history and forest landscape together as closely connected yet distinct themes.

Village Layout and Church on the Village Square

Krty was first mentioned in 1227; at that time, the village belonged to Rabštejn Castle. On the northern edge of the rectangular village square stands the originally Early Baroque Church of Saint Adalbert. It was built in 1682, remodeled in 1737 and renovated in 1931. This sequence of dates connects today’s village square with several phases of its architectural history.

Its design also makes the church a concrete historical destination: it has a single-nave plan with a semicircular presbytery. The nave has a barrel vault, while the sacristy has a flat ceiling. This makes it possible to combine a visit to the village square with a look at the region’s architectural history. The various interior forms give the building a clearly structured layout that can be described directly and precisely.

Granite History and Protected Forest Landscape

The J. Pokornyho granite quarry in Krty was founded in 1872 and was probably the oldest and largest such operation in the former Podbořany political district. Between 1898 and 1900, it employed up to 100 workers. Granite quarrying near Krty has ended; today, the area is protected as the Krtské skály natural monument and lies in the forest south of Krty. This connects the former use of granite with a protected landscape in which the history of the village and its natural surroundings belong together.

Another unusual destination lies in the municipal forest southeast of Krty: Trpasličí díra is a cavity that still exists today and can only be entered by crawling on your stomach. This place complements the broader landscape connections with a very concrete, independent discovery. Its narrow entrance makes it a special destination within the forest landscape and clearly distinguishes it from the open views of the village square or quarry area.

Orientation Along the Hiking Trail and Route

Čertův kámen lies just beyond Krty, in the immediate vicinity of the blue-marked hiking trail toward Krtské skály. A sign indicates it at the turnoff; the stone is in the forest approximately 100 meters to the left of the main trail. Tourist Route 1020 runs from U můstku through Krty and Krty railway station to the Krtské skály junction. This sequence identifies fixed reference points from the starting point through the village to the landscape around the quarry area and makes it easier to place the various destinations along the trail.

Krty as a Starting Point for Planning Your Trip

If you are looking for accommodation in Krty for your stay, you can consider the location according to your preferred focus: the village square and church represent the history of the village, while the granite and forest destinations described above lie to the south and southeast, respectively. This keeps your choice of starting point oriented toward your planned discoveries without reducing Krty to just one attraction.

For further searches for Czech travel destinations, you can also consider Sýkořice, Lubná, Kalivody, Mšecké Žehrovice, Nové Strašecí, Mutějovice, Krakovec and Branov as well.

For the overview of the wider area: Rakovník District.