Střížov – Church, Traditions and Landscape

Střížov is a place where cultural history, local traditions and the landscape are closely connected. If you would like to combine historical details and views of nature with your family during your stay, you will find distinctive points of interest here: an early Gothic church, traditional customs, a special viewpoint and a cycling circuit through Doudlebsko and Novohradsko.

Historical Traces in the Villagescape

Historical sources have mentioned Střížov since the second half of the 13th century, including records from 1263 and 1274. Farmstead Třetinů No. 17 is notable for its gables. The gable of Farmstead Otrubů No. 8 formerly featured late Baroque statues of saints. Almost at the end of Střížov, on the road towards Komařice, stands a niche chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It was probably built in the second half of the 19th century or at the beginning of the 20th century.

The Church of Saint Martin

The church dedicated to Saint Martin is a protected historic building of early Gothic origin, with an early Gothic pointed-arch portal and remains of medieval wall paintings. It has an older Gothic chancel; the nave was re-vaulted in 1660. The church also contains a Gothic bell dating from 1418. The gravestone of Karel Kořenský z Terešova, who died in 1619, has also been preserved. In the nearby Želno valley, the former Church of Saint Bartholomew was completed in 1679 and was occasionally referred to as a filial church of the parish Church of Saint Martin in Střížov.

Traditions and Special Occasions

Every year, Střížov hosts the Bartolomějská pouť pilgrimage at the Church of Saint Martin. This pilgrimage was moved there from the former Church of Saint Bartholomew in the nearby Želno valley. Střížov also maintains the annual tradition of the “masopustní koleda”. For your travel planning, these provide concrete cultural points of interest alongside a local history dating back to the Middle Ages.

Landscape and Cycling

A route from Střížov in a southwesterly direction offers views from the Novohradské hory to Blanský les, including Kleť and part of the Šumava. In the vicinity of Střížov, the spring of Saint Barbara rises in the Želno valley, about 200 metres away, beneath a wooden shelter. For active days, the cycling circuit through Doudlebsko and Novohradsko passes through Střížov between Doudleby and Lomec. It is 110 kilometres long in total, of medium to challenging difficulty, and suitable for trekking and mountain bikes. Its length and rating provide a clear framework for planning your own cycling trip.

Practical Information

Stops on route 123 include “Střížov” and “Střížov k ozdravovně”. If you would like to compare other destinations for your travel planning, you can find Libín, Vráto, Kvítkovice, Lišov, Trhové Sviny, Olesnik, Holasovice and Dehtar here.

For the broader travel overview: Okres České Budějovice.