Žerotice: Castle Ruins, St. Martin’s Church and Wine Traditions

Žerotice between Castle Ruins, Church and the Jevišovka

Žerotice combines impressive traces of local history with ecclesiastical art, vibrant traditions and a protected natural area. For families and other travellers looking for a small place with several different discoveries, the main highlights are easy to identify: the castle ruins are located on the southern edge, the village is home to the parish church dedicated to St. Martin and the rectory, while the Jevišovka flows through the cadastral area of Žerotice.

Ecclesiastical Art and Distinctive Local Details

Only the presbytery, an old baptismal font and a stone holy-water basin remain from the former Gothic church in Žerotice. The high altar and two side altars were made of marble and plaster in 1775 by the Znojmo sculptor Šebestián Centner. The side altars are dedicated to St. James, Jesus, Mary and Joseph. The church therefore offers not only historical substance but also specific artistic and craft details to look out for during a tour.

The parish church dedicated to St. Martin stands in the northeastern part of Žerotice. Its park-like grounds are enclosed by a wall. The site can be accessed from the south via a staircase from the pavement through the main gate, or from the east through a side door. The rectory was completed in 1832 and has a sundial on its façade. Another striking building is the three-storey granary with curved gables and unusual groups of three openings shaped like a compressed figure eight.

Castle Ruins on the Southern Edge of the Village

The ruins of Žerotice Castle are located on the southern edge of the village. What remains includes a Renaissance-vaulted room, masonry preserved up to the level of the first upper floor, buttresses, the remains of a prismatic tower and a heavily filled-in moat that was originally enclosed by walls. The history of the site reaches far back: a small multi-storey castle and the village of Žerotice are mentioned in 1259, while the fortress is explicitly documented in 1358. Later Renaissance alterations changed the complex before it was captured and burned down by Swedish troops in 1643.

Natural Area and Local Traditions

The Jevišovka, which flows through the cadastral area of Žerotice, is included in the Natura 2000 network of protected areas. This connection with nature adds another facet to the historical attractions, without reducing Žerotice to a single travel theme. Local customs also shape the character of the village: Žerotice maintains a traditional masked procession for Masopust.

The annual cycle is also shaped by wine events and church fair traditions. The XXV Wine Tasting was scheduled for 21 March 2026; the wine enthusiasts of Žerotice regularly exhibit their wine samples at the end of April. The Svatomartinské posvícení, the St. Martin’s church fair, is scheduled for 14 and 15 November 2026. On Saturday, entertainment aimed primarily at young people is planned. On Sunday, a procession through the village will be followed by Zavádění.

For further research into other places, you can find Slup, Trstěnice, Únanov, Višňové, Mašovice, Podmyče, Dolenice and Šafov here.

For the higher-level travel overview: Znojmo District.