Kralice Nad Oslavou

History and Landscapes in Kralice Nad Oslavou

Kralice Nad Oslavou combines impressive evidence of the Bohemian Brethren with natural gorge-like valleys. This creates a destination where culture and landscapes can be explored in different ways: around the Kralice Bible, at historic buildings and along a hiking route through the valleys of the Oslava and Chvojnice rivers.

The Kralice Bible and the History of Printing

The Památník Bible kralické stands beside the former fortress, which provided refuge for a secret printing press of the Bohemian Brethren from 1578 to 1620. The printing press in Kralice nad Oslavou published more than 70 works by 1619, including the six-volume Kralice Bible. This makes an important chapter in the region’s cultural history tangible in a specific location.

The Památník Bible kralické preserves more than 4,000 original typefaces, metal letters, spacing pieces, decorative elements and printing tools. It also displays additional exhibits discovered during archaeological investigations of the Kralická tvrz. The Kralická tvrz itself was extensively rebuilt at the end of the first half of the 16th century: Jindřich Kralický z Kralic added three Renaissance wings to the Gothic structure.

Another visible sign of this history is the Pomník Bible kralické. The monument consists of an open bronze book on an altar-like pedestal and symbolizes the translation and printing of the Kralice Bible. The Martinské hody also included a traditional procession in folk costumes, offering an insight into the festive side of the town.

The Kostel sv. Martina Church

The Kostel sv. Martina Church is the oldest building in Kralice nad Oslavou. Its present-day sacristy dates back to a freestanding pre-Romanesque chapel from the late 11th century. Wall paintings from around 1300 have been preserved in the apse of the presbytery, the chancel. They include a depiction of Saint Martin sharing his cloak with a beggar. Those who want to combine historic architecture with individual artistic motifs during a trip will find a distinct cultural highlight here alongside the history of the printing press.

Hiking through the Valleys of the Oslava and Chvojnice Rivers

The Chvojnice and Oslava valleys around Kralice Nad Oslavou preserve natural gorge-like valleys of great landscape and scientific importance. The hiking route through Kralice Nad Oslavou and the valleys of the Oslava and Chvojnice rivers begins at Kralice Nad Oslavou railway station. The freely accessible ruins of Kraví Hora Castle lie along this route. This makes it possible to combine the landscape with another historic destination without culture and nature having to be experienced in the same way.

The choice of accommodation therefore depends above all on the desired focus of the trip: the history of the Kralice Bible and the historic buildings may be at the center, or the hike through the valleys and to the ruins. The available information describes the sights and the route, but not individual accommodation features.

More Destinations for Your Travel Planning

Other destinations in this selection are Kramolín, Jasenice, Markvartice, Chlum, Komárovice, Šebkovice, Rokytnice Nad Rokytnou and Zahrádka.

To the overarching travel overview: Třebíč District.