Cizkrajov: Bridge, Castle Site and Churches

Cizkrajov brings together evidence from different periods: a stone bridge, an archaeological castle site and churches, each with its own history of construction and use. Those interested in cultural history will find a range of traces here—as a surviving transport structure, a site with archaeological remains and sacred architecture. When planning your trip, it is worth keeping these highlights distinct: the bridge, castle site and Church of St Peter and St Paul are in the village; the Montserrat pilgrimage church lies to the southeast, on a wooded hill.

Stone Bridge and Archaeological Castle Site

The stone bridge in Cizkrajov was protected as an immovable cultural monument in early 2024. It is an authentically preserved example of a transport structure and documents the region’s architectural qualities, as well as its construction and engineering techniques. It therefore offers a different perspective on the village’s history than a church building: the focus here is on the construction method and the importance of bridge building as part of the region’s transport history.

The castle site lies on the northwestern edge of the village and is an important archaeological site. It was probably established around 1300 and abandoned in the 1430s or 1440s. Low rampart remains, as well as fragments of walls and mortar, have survived. The dimensions of the moat are particularly striking: it is up to 3 m deep and 25 m wide. Unlike a fully preserved castle, the site’s terrain and structural fragments tell the story of the complex. However, the archaeological remains can be difficult to interpret without specialist knowledge.

Late Gothic Church of St Peter and St Paul

The Church of St Peter and St Paul is another tangible testament to Cizkrajov’s architectural history. The Late Gothic building has two naves and a polygonal presbytery, meaning a choir area with several sides. It stands in a cemetery enclosed by a perimeter wall. Visitors can take in not only the layout of the church interior, but also its position within the walled cemetery.

The present-day church was built between 1500 and 1503 by Jörg Estreicher, a master builder from nearby Slavonice. Its construction dates and connection with Estreicher give the visit a clear historical context. Together with the bridge and the castle site, the church shows the diversity of Cizkrajov’s cultural heritage: sacred architecture, a transport structure and archaeological remains stand side by side, each telling a different story.

Montserrat Pilgrimage Church: Location and History

The Montserrat pilgrimage church is a distinct highlight for travellers interested in religious history. It stands on a wooded hill southeast of Cizkrajov, about 1 km from Mutná. The church was demolished in 1785 by order of Joseph II and rebuilt between 1858 and 1865. This sequence of events is part of its distinctive history and differs markedly from the building history of the Late Gothic Church of St Peter and St Paul.

A distinctive architectural and religious feature lies behind the altar in the presbytery: there is a well with a spring. The two-day main pilgrimage also has a specific date: it takes place on the Saturday and Sunday before 15 August. If you would like to plan your trip around this event, check in advance whether the pilgrimage is taking place and which dates apply.

Getting There and Choosing Where to Stay

Cizkrajov can be reached via third-class roads from Dolní Bolíkov, Peč and Mutná. The access roads from Peč and Mutná branch off from roads II/406 and II/152, respectively. This information can help you plan your journey to the village. When choosing where to stay, it is also worth considering which of the different cultural sites you would like to focus on: the castle site on the northwestern edge of the village, the Church of St Peter and St Paul in the village, or Montserrat southeast of Cizkrajov on the wooded hill.

If you are primarily interested in exploring the village’s history, you can consider the bridge, the archaeological remains and the Late Gothic church as separate themes for your stay. Montserrat adds a pilgrimage church with its own building history, a well with a spring and a special pilgrimage date to this mix. Search for a hotel based on the sights that matter most for your trip; this makes choosing where to stay part of your planning, without equating the different sites with one another.

Discover more destinations: Český Rudolec, Jindřichův Hradec 1, Jarosov Nad Nezarkou, Hospříz, Stribrec, Vnorovice, Vlčetínec, Střížovice U Kunžaku.

For the broader travel overview: Okres Jindřichův Hradec.