Discover Čestice: Kalvárie and Včelí stezka

Čestice lies west of Volyně above the valley of the Peklov stream in the Šumavské podlesí landscape. The town offers several clearly distinct themes for planning your trip: Baroque and early Gothic architecture, the Kalvárie pilgrimage complex, an approximately 5 km-long educational trail and the Machův včelín Museum in Krušlov.

Baroque buildings and the Kalvárie complex

Zámek Čestice, an early Baroque building from the first half of the 17th century, stands at the center of the town’s history. It was built on the site of a former fortress. In front of the château is a stone Renaissance fountain, built between 1815 and 1827. Above Čestice lies the listed Kalvárie pilgrimage complex, a group of buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries. Its central chapel, Kaple Povýšení sv. Kříže, is designed in the style of the Italian Renaissance. The complex also includes four Baroque niche chapels with Passion scenes. A wooden hermitage stands on the western slope of Kalvárie Hill.

Kostel Stětí Sv. Jana Křtitele also brings together different periods of construction. The tower dates from the early 13th century. The wooden Baroque high altar was created in 1737 by the woodcarver Jan Hammer. The eastern section from the triumphal arch onward, as well as the presbytery and the choir, were rebuilt in the Early Gothic style. The church’s sacred architecture thus reveals a sequence of different construction phases, visible in the tower, spatial design and furnishings. When viewing the church, the sequence of construction phases can be followed from the tower through the interior to the furnishings.

On the educational trail to Krušlov

For a more active exploration, the Včelí stezka educational trail begins above Čestice at a wayside cross in the direction of Kobylka. The route from Čestice to Krušlov is approximately 5 km long and has 14 stops with carved panels about the life of the honeybee. At the destination is Machův včelín in Krušlov, a museum dedicated to the legacy of Josef Mach and beekeeping. More than 80 carvings and artistically designed beehives are part of this site. For groups of four or more people, a guided tour can be arranged by telephone in advance outside opening hours.

Seasonal and practical activities are also part of Machův včelín’s profile: the traditional “Ukončení sezóny” takes place on the last Sunday in October, and the Krušlovský včelín z.s. association that operates the museum runs beekeeping courses. Čestice offers several other activities as well: the Regional Museum in Zámek Čestice displays old agricultural equipment and historical objects related to Čestice. Statek U Pichců can be visited by telephone appointment to see various farm animals. In the Voňavá zahrada garden at the primary and nursery school at Čestice 148, there is a five-star insect hotel.

More places for planning your trip

If you would like to compare more places when planning your trip, you can find Přešťovice, Lnáře, Blatná, Mnichov, Bílsko U Vodňan, Bezdědovice, Rovná and Uzenice here.

For the higher-level travel overview: Okres Strakonice.