Podlesi: Glassworks, Chapel and the Golden Trail

Podlesi combines a medieval settlement history with traces of glass production, historic paths and distinctive trees. Anyone looking for a place in the Czech Republic with cultural discoveries and walking opportunities will find various starting points here for planning their day. The small settlement of Vogelsang has existed since the Middle Ages and has been called Podlesí since 1947. However, the name Podlesí was never in general use. It lies on the slope of the Huťské hory above the valley of the Losenice.

Chapel and Glassworks as Historical Highlights

St. Barbara’s Chapel is located in the northern part of a former farmstead that forms the core of the small settlement of Podlesí. It was built under the glassmaker Florián Gerl around the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries and is freely accessible. This means the chapel can be included in a walking tour of the settlement without associating its historic character with any current events or opening hours.

The abandoned glassworks are also part of Podlesí’s history. They are documented by name as early as 1580 and operated intermittently until the 1890s. Together with the settlement of Podlesí, they form a Category UAN I archaeological area and are considered an important archaeological site. For visitors interested in crafts, settlement history and the development of small communities, this creates a clear cultural focus.

Discover Old Paths on Walks

Podlesí is also connected with the Golden Trail. It led from Losenice to what later became Vogelsang, where it climbed towards Zhůří along branching routes. On walks around Vogelsang, you may come across several sections of the original Golden Trail and the Golden Road from Kašperské Hory. The historic traces of the paths are therefore suitable as a theme for exploring the area on foot, while the chapel and glassworks offer another way to discover the settlement’s history.

Distinctive Trees and a Special Connection to the Landscape

One of the notable natural features is a large-leaved lime tree below the path near Podlesí. It is more than 30 metres tall and has a trunk circumference of almost seven metres. Memorial trees in the Šumava National Park can also be found near Podlesí and Vogelsang. Another group of memorial lime trees grows near Podlesí in two rows close to a water reservoir. These different tree locations complement the historical walking tour of the settlement with tangible impressions of the landscape.

Which Accommodation Suits Your Travel Plans

When looking for accommodation in Podlesi, you can first determine the focus you want for your trip. If you are primarily interested in the history of the settlement, the chapel, glassworks and archaeological area take centre stage. For walks, on the other hand, you can explore the Golden Trail, the Golden Road and the tree locations described above. Those travelling with several generations can combine these interests and make their daily plans suitably varied.

To the overarching travel overview: Kašperské Hory.