Sousedovice

Sousedovice lies at the foot of the 600-metre-high Hradiště and combines a distinctive hilly landscape with an unusually long history. Wooded hills, the Hůl forest and Cycle Route 1068 shape the surrounding area; the local history includes archaeological traces, a reconstructed village chapel, a war memorial and traditions held every year.

Hills, Forest and Cycle Route 1068

To the west of Sousedovice rises the wooded Kamenná Bába (Skalice) hill, which is 555 metres high. To the southwest, extending towards Libětice, lies the elongated, wooded Kbýl, which reaches 664 metres. The extensive Hůl forest lies between Sousedovice and the municipalities of Drachkov and Pracejovice. The three landscape features are clearly distinct: Kamenná Bába and Kbýl are individual wooded elevations, whereas Hůl is an extensive forest area between these places. Kbýl is the higher of the two hills; Kamenná Bába lies west of the village, and Kbýl southwest of it.

Cycle Route 1068 passes through Sousedovice and runs through a landscape with wide-ranging views. Behind Sousedovice, the geological formation Kamenná baba lies along this route. The route therefore connects the village with a specifically named landscape feature.

Archaeology and Local History

Archaeological finds show that the present-day area of Sousedovice has been inhabited for more than 2,000 years. In the Early Iron Age, around the 4th century BC, a settlement surrounded by stone walls stood on Hradiště. After being resettled by a Slavic tribe around the 7th century, Hradiště and its outer bailey were used until the 10th century, according to the available reports.

The first written mention of Sousedovice dates from 1243. Also in 1243, Bavor I donated part of Strakonice Castle and several villages, including Sousedovice, to the convent of the Order of Malta. Next to the municipal office, a memorial erected in 1936 commemorates those who fell in the First World War.

Village Chapel and Living Traditions

The village chapel of Sousedovice stands on the village green and is considered an important monument; it was reconstructed in 2002. In addition to the chapel, the memorial at the municipal office provides another visible link to the local history.

A children's masked carnival takes place in Sousedovice every year. In addition, a traditional Masopust procession passes through Smradice, Libětice and Sousedovice each year. The two events differ in format: the masked carnival is aimed at children, while the Masopust procession connects several villages.

Local Orientation and Sports Ground

Sousedovice also has a multi-purpose sports ground. It is fenced and locked; use of the ground must be reported to the municipal office.

Other Places in the Surrounding Area

For further orientation, you can also compare Měkynec, Chrášťovice, Mnichov, Chlum, Štěkeň, Řepice, Uzenice and Bezdědovice.

For the higher-level travel overview: Strakonice District.