Discover Dešenice: History, Forests and Trails in the Šumava

Dešenice combines remarkable architectural history with trails through the Šumava landscape. Here, you can discover a historic church complex, a fortress with a brewery museum, a special stone from a cross-border cultural project and several routes for cycling and hiking days. This allows you to shape your stay in very different ways: focusing on history, following a route through the forests or taking an educational trail designed as a circular route.

Church, Fortress and Brewing Tradition

The parish church of Kostel sv. Mikuláše in Dešenice dates from the mid-14th century. In addition to the church, the complex includes tombstones, an enclosing wall, a Baroque gate and a mortuary chapel. These individual elements make the sacred building more than an isolated sightseeing spot and give the historic site a clearly recognizable architectural setting. The Tvrz Dešenice, also referred to as a chateau, provides another highlight. In the mid-18th century, it was thoroughly renovated in the Baroque style without removing its Renaissance character. A brewery was later established in the Tvrz. Today, it houses the Muzeum šumavského pivovarnictví Dešenice. It offers insights into the history of brewing in the Šumava region and also includes a reconstructed historic taproom. Your tour of Dešenice can therefore combine fortress architecture with the region's brewing tradition.

A Special Stone and a Cross-Border Project

To the left of the entrance to the Tvrz Dešenice, in the fortress wall next to the statue of Saint John of Nepomuk, you will find the Kámen doteku. The smoothly worked stone invites visitors to touch it. Its location makes it a small, easily found discovery connected with the fortress. Dešenice is one of six Czech municipalities participating in the cross-border project Kámen doteku together with the Bavarian municipalities of Eschlkam, Lam, Neukirchen b.Hl.Blut, Arrach and Lohberg. The other Czech municipalities in this project are Chudenín, Hamry, Nýrsko, Strážov and Všeruby. Those interested in regional connections across the border will find a specific cultural reference here that extends beyond the individual buildings in Dešenice.

Cycling Routes, Forests and a Circular Trail

Cycling routes from Dešenice lead through deep Šumava forests with beautiful viewpoints. The Městišťská rokle nature reserve can also be reached via routes from Dešenice. This means that forest landscapes and a protected natural area are available alongside the historic destinations for a more active stay. The Po stopách formanů educational trail begins at Dešenice railway station and ends there again as a circular route. It includes seven stations with information boards. This route offers a clearly defined format for an excursion: the start and finish are at the same point, while the seven stations divide the trail into individual informative stages. When planning your day, you can therefore choose between a cultural and historical tour, a cycling route through the Šumava forests and the Po stopách formanů educational trail.

More Places for Your Research

If you would like to compare Dešenice with other places, you can also find Hejná, Frymburk U Sušice, Dobršín, Čímice, Branickov and Horská Kvilda here. For an additional selection of places, you can also visit Depoltice and Městiště.

For the higher-level travel overview: Klatovy District.