Stankov – Culture on the Radbuza and Forest Trails

Staňkov lies on the Radbuza between Plzeň and Domažlice. The river divides the town into Staňkov město on the left bank and Staňkov ves on the right bank.

Gothic church and Baroque paintings

An important cultural landmark is the Church of St. James the Elder. It is originally Gothic and dates from the early 15th century. The single-nave building is surrounded by a cemetery wall with a gate. Inside, Baroque ceiling paintings and fragments of Gothic wall paintings have been preserved.

Another historic site is the Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes on Mastník. It was built in 1898 by the bricklayer Václav Vacík. The chapel offers views of the surrounding area and is visited for walks and relaxation. Together with the forest trails and hills in the nearby area, it forms a scenic counterpoint to the church and the community hall. The hills of Hora [Staňkov-město], Kamenná hora [Holýšov] and Makový vrch [Holýšov-Dolní Kamenice] are also located in the immediate surroundings of Staňkov. Mount Běleč is likewise situated near Staňkov.

Walks and local traditions

The forests around Staňkov invite visitors to take walks along forest trails. The Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes serves as a cultural landmark in its own right, while the wooded surroundings show another side of the town. The traditional Jakubská pouť in Staňkov takes place on the Sunday after the feast of Saint James and links the town’s name with a recurring local event.

Lidový dům and puppet theatre

The events scene is also part of Staňkov’s character. Lidový dům was completed in 1931 and extensively renovated between 1984 and 1988. Today, it is used for balls, social events, dance classes and amateur theatre performances. Staňkov’s puppet theatre stage is located on Dělnická Street in the Lidový dům and cinema complex. The spatial connection between Lidový dům and the cinema brings together several cultural forms in one place: event evenings, amateur theatre and puppet theatre take place side by side. The puppet theatre was revived in 1995 and has a long-standing tradition. The amateur theatre ensemble used to perform two plays a year, with four to five performances of each.

The Svatojakubský sbor is also part of the town’s cultural life. The choir holds weekly rehearsals and gives concerts in Staňkov and abroad. The choir provides a regular cultural presence, while the former amateur theatre tradition has an explicitly historical reference. Thus, the cultural spectrum ranges from the medieval-influenced church and the local stage to community events and musical performances.

More destinations to read about

If you would like to select more places beyond Stankov, you can also discover Chrastavice, Mutěnín, Mezholezy, Vlkanov, Kanice, Dolní Kamenice, Kdyne and Semněvice.

For the higher-level travel overview: Okres Domažlice.