Ošelín – History, Church and Trails

Ošelín is a destination for travelers who want to combine cultural history with active pursuits in the countryside. The fortress, castle and Church of Saint Bartholomew tell the story of the area’s long history, while a 41-kilometer cycle route and another trail offer different options for planning your day. This allows you to shape your stay according to your interests, with a greater focus on history or on active pursuits.

History between the Fortress and Castle

Ošelín is first mentioned in 1379, when the village belonged to the knight Oldřich of Ošelín. From 1380 to 1402, Oldřich of Ošelín was a co-patron of the church in Meclov. Before 1413, Ošelín came into the possession of Habart of Malenice and later of Petr the Younger Kovář of Strhaře. This sequence makes the area’s history interesting even if you are interested not only in individual buildings but also in the development of rule and ownership.

The fortress of Ošelín has been documented in writing since 1497. The present-day building of Ošelín Castle, which dates approximately from the second half of the 18th century, should be considered separately. The Bigatto family owned the castle until 1935. Those who enjoy viewing historic places across different periods will therefore find several chronological points of reference here, without reducing the history to a single construction date.

The Church of Saint Bartholomew also forms part of Ošelín’s cultural character. It has Gothic origins and was extensively rebuilt in the Baroque style in 1722. For a trip with an interest in religious architecture and local history, the church is another part of your own exploration. The historical information about the fortress, castle and church can be incorporated independently into your travel plans.

Cycling, Hiking and the Mže

Cycle Route No. 2222 runs through Ošelín and Německý mlýn. It is part of a 41 km route, making it suitable for anyone who wants to include a clearly defined longer cycling stage in their plans. Take the full route length into account when preparing your day and choose your accommodation so that it fits your desired itinerary, without assuming a specific accommodation location.

Another option is an approximately 15 km route from Cebiv to Ošelín railway station. It runs mostly along marked hiking trails. The approximate length and the route’s course along marked trails are important details for your personal planning; you should not infer a specific walking time or difficulty level from them. Families and other travel groups can thus distinguish between a longer cycling tour and a hiking route with its own characteristics.

The Mže River flows near Ošelín. Ošelín railway station is located above the right bank of the Mže. From there, the green hiking route No. 3607 runs for 1 km to the U Mže trail junction. For planning your routes, you can take into account the 1 km section from the railway station to the U Mže trail junction. When planning your trip, you can weigh your interest in the historic area, the cycle route and the trails around the Mže against one another.

Which Accommodation Is Right for Your Stay?

If history is your main focus, plan time for the fortress, castle and church. If you primarily want to cycle or hike, compare the location that suits you based on the planned route and your respective day plan. The distances mentioned refer to the routes themselves, not to accommodation or to the distance between individual offers.

Ošelín is therefore suitable as a base for a trip that combines historical orientation with active experiences. The approximate hiking route, the 41 km cycle route and the 1 km route from the railway station provide concrete points of reference, while the area’s history offers additional reasons for a mindful exploration.

More Places for Your Travel Plans

For further comparison, you can also take a look at Chodová Planá, Dubec, Kokašice, Písařova Vesce, Erpužice, Cernosin, Zadní Chodov and Halže.

For the higher-level travel overview: Okres Tachov.