Schmiedgraben: Chapels, forest nature trail and cycling routes

Chapels and village history

The protected Chapel of St. John of Nepomuk stands on the village square beside building No. 17. It is associated with a statue on a tall Baroque pedestal dating from the second half of the 18th century. The square itself is considered to have urban-planning value; its use is subject to requirements for the design of a historic public space.

Building No. 17 is the former inn and probably the oldest surviving building in Chotýčany. The inn, along with its gate, barn and stable, is protected as a monument. The Chapel of St. Wenceslas is another historic landmark: it was consecrated on 28 September 1882.

The Masopustní průvod (Shrovetide parade) is also held regularly. The tradition includes a masked event for adults. If this event is to influence your travel dates, check the event schedule before planning.

Landscape and viewpoints

The registered significant landscape features of Chotýčany include Roklina Strouhy. An oak tree on the western edge of the village is also registered as a significant landscape feature. In favorable weather, the view from the village square reaches as far as the Šumava, including the peak of Boubín.

The history of the surrounding landscape includes the remains of historic charcoal-burning sites in the forests between Chotýčany and Ševětín. They offer a distinct connection to the history of the woodland landscape beyond the village square.

Forest nature trail and learning about nature

The Chotýčany Educational Trail is a forest nature trail with information panels about local nature. Additional panels have extended it into a circular route. Its topics include animals, birds, insects, butterflies, mushrooms, flowers and trees of the local forest.

One important point when choosing your route: the trail is not suitable for strollers. Its nature themes and information panels give it a different focus from the architectural history around the village square, so the two appeal to different interests.

Cycling routes as a distinct travel focus

Marked cycling route 1058 passes through the village on the Hluboká–Dobřejovice–Chotýčany–Vitín route. Cycling route 1054 runs from Chotýčany along the road toward Lhotice. These route descriptions provide two specific reference points if cycling is a priority when planning your trip.

Considering Schmiedgraben as a destination

Village history, nature topics along the educational trail and cycling on marked routes offer different reasons to visit. This makes it possible to consider Schmiedgraben in light of a range of travel interests, without reducing the village to a single type of excursion.

Chotýčany is a partner municipality in the Budějovicko tourism region. This regional connection complements the specific features of the village that can guide your travel decision.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Pistin, Nuzice, Tyn Nad Vltavou, Úsilné, Ostrolovský Újezd, Zliv, Adamstadt, Rančice.

For the broader travel overview: Okres České Budějovice.