Draschitz: Castles, Chapels and Beer Culture

Draschitz combines historic buildings with a distinctive beer culture and a clearly defined route along the Vltava. Those who wish to organise their stay around different interests will find several distinct themes here: Baroque chapels, the multifaceted complex of Dražíč Castle, a former distillery with brewing operations, and the 34-kilometre “Pivní stezka – Route 2.”

Baroque chapels as defining features of the local landscape

At the southern edge of Dražíč, on the road towards Chrášťany, stands the Baroque Chapel of Saint John of Nepomuk. It is situated on a grassy area at a change in elevation and forms a prominent landscape feature there. An important detail concerns its heritage protection: it is the Chapel of Saint John of Nepomuk that is protected, not the plot of land.

A second sacred sight is directly connected with the history of the castle. The Baroque Chapel of Saint Nicholas was added to the castle in Dražíč in the first third of the 18th century. It complements the secular architecture with another historic detail and makes the castle grounds particularly interesting for visitors who wish to discover architectural history in its various forms while travelling through the Czech Republic.

Dražíč Castle and its architectural history

Dražíč Castle is a single-storey rectangular building with a farmyard on its southern side. The oldest part is located in the east and is reinforced on the outside by buttresses. Other striking details include arcades on the ground and upper floors; both have since been bricked up. These architectural features offer several starting points for observation: the floor plan, farmyard, reinforced eastern section and bricked-up arcades stand side by side as different details of the same castle. The focus therefore falls not only on the exterior form but also on the changes within the complex.

The fortress in Dražíč is also part of the local history. It was built after 1600 by Jan Svatkovský of Dobrohošť. Together with the castle and the two chapels, it creates a cultural focal point that you can explore according to your interests, whether through architecture, aristocratic building history or sacred art. When choosing accommodation in Draschitz, it is therefore worth considering first whether your focus should be on historical discoveries, regional cuisine or a planned route.

Beer culture and the Pivní stezka

At Pivovarský dvůr Lipan in Dražíč, unfiltered, live, typically Czech beer is brewed. It is characterised by a fuller body and a unique flavour. The brewery was established in 1997 in the complex of a former distillery. Guided brewery tours with beer tasting combine the production process with a specific visitor experience.

The “Pivní stezka – Route 2” is 34 km long and runs from Zvíkovské Podhradí along the Vltava to Dražíč. For personal planning, the length provides a clearly defined scope. The route adds a riverside journey to this framework, continuing along the river to the destination of Dražíč. The route can therefore serve as a separate focus alongside the town’s historic sites, without restricting the trip to a single theme.

More destinations for your Czech Republic research

If you would like to compare other destinations in addition to Draschitz, you can find Dubiken, Strazkovice, Budweis, Temelín, Hurr, Kamenný Újezd, Ledenice and Duben here.

For the higher-level travel overview: České Budějovice District.