Drahouš between local history and landscape

Drahouš lies in a sloping valley of the Drahoušský potok stream. Local history, archaeological evidence, water and paths offer different points of interest for planning your trip and choosing a hotel in Drahouš.

Chapels and local history

The Chapel of St. John of Nepomuk is the dominant landmark of the village square. It was built in 1728 by František Josef Richtersohn, secretary to Count Černín. Another chapel is associated with the Plávečská Chestnut Avenue: the two-kilometre-long avenue ends at the Chapel of Our Lady of Altötting. It was once a frequently visited pilgrimage site. Together, a building on the village square and the former pilgrimage history represent different aspects of Drahouš’s religious heritage.

Archaeological evidence in Tlestky and near Smrk

The Tvrziště Tlestky is a cultural monument in the village of Tlestky, which belongs to Drahouš. It lies at the eastern edge of the village, on the road to Drahouš. The site is clearly visible behind the last houses, numbers 20 and 9; vegetation and local conditions may affect its visibility. Archaeological investigations confirmed that the Tvrziště was destroyed by fire at the beginning of the 15th century.

In 2015, non-original fill material and vegetation were cleared from the Tvrziště. As part of the work, an information board and a place to sit were added in the forest. The history of the site can therefore be considered from two different perspectives: its visible location on the eastern edge of Tlestky and its destruction by fire, confirmed by investigations.

Near Smrk, the form of another site takes centre stage: this circular motte-type Tvrziště has a central mound about 20 metres wide and a ditch approximately 2 to 2.5 metres deep. These approximate measurements give a concrete sense of the scale of this archaeological site.

Ponds, a spring and the landscape

There are three ponds in Drahouš: one on the village square and two directly along the course of the Jesenický potok stream. The source of the Rakovnický potok stream lies two kilometres east of Drahouš at an elevation of 578 metres. The surrounding area was cleaned up, and an information board was installed at the source. The landscape thus brings together ponds in the village and a spring at a higher elevation outside it.

Rocky habitats are also part of the natural landscape: Drahouš lom is a registered significant landscape feature with heat-loving communities in rocky habitats. The view thus extends from the ponds and the spring’s surroundings to communities associated with rock and warmth.

Circular routes and a former hunting lodge

The two circular routes mentioned here focus on different things. “Za Tleským pokladem” runs from Jesenice through Tlestky to Drahouš. The circular trip “K zámku Svatý Hubert” leads from Jesenice to the former Svatý Hubert hunting lodge and can be done on foot, by Nordic walking or by bicycle. Přírodní památka Plaviště is also one of the stops on this trip. One route therefore passes through Tlestky to Drahouš, while the other includes the former hunting lodge and the natural monument.

The Kámen svatého Huberta is about 300 metres from the hunting lodge, on a blue-marked hiking trail. The historical background of the former hunting lodge reaches back to parforce hunting: the tower windows offered a view of long avenues used by the estate for this type of hunting. An observer in the tower signalled the hunters where the game was. Information dated 18 October 2024 states that the hunting lodge is not open to the public; check access arrangements before your trip.

A local brewery

Pivovar Kokeš is a small family brewery in Drahouš and uses local water for brewing. This adds a specific connection to local production to the historical and landscape themes.

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