Žehušice: White Deer Tradition and Music in June

Žehušice brings together a distinctive white deer tradition, an annual music festival held in June, and architecture from several periods. When planning a hotel stay, two questions can help: Should the trip coincide with the festival, or are architecture and the history of the landscape the main focus? Local attractions range from a recurring music event to buildings with Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Empire features.

Music Festival and Local History

The “Slavnost lesního rohu” is held every year in June and is dedicated to the horn virtuoso Jan Václav Stich. This connection leads to another notable local association: Starý zámek in Žehušice is considered the birthplace of Stich, who was known in Italy as Giovanni Punto. The event and biography can thus be placed in their temporal and geographical context: June is the festival’s recurring date, while Starý zámek provides the historical connection to Stich.

White Deer Tradition and Landscape

The Žehušická obora has existed in its present form since 1867, covers 270 hectares, and lies between Žehušice and Bojmany. One of the world’s few herds of white deer has been kept there for more than 150 years; its population is estimated at about 130 animals. The dates refer to different aspects: 1867 marks the obora’s present form, while the period of more than 150 years refers to keeping the white deer herd. The former dam of the Kravinec pond forms the main walking route through the obora.

Chateau Buildings and Visitor Access

The Chateau Žehušice has two distinct building phases: Francesco Carati built it in the Baroque style in 1679; Count Josef Matyáš Thun remodeled it in the Empire style in 1826. The chateau is currently not open to the public. The chateau park is also not open to the public; it contains rare trees and is considered a dendrological site.

The Old Chateau, Starý zámek, preserves the core of a Gothic fortress that was remodeled in the 16th century. Remnants of sgraffito, as well as a Gothic gate, a Renaissance portal, and Renaissance window surrounds, remain on the facades. In contrast to Chateau Žehušice, Starý zámek thus combines a Gothic core with Renaissance elements, while the chateau is characterized by Baroque and Empire styles.

Church and Historic Utility Buildings

The Church of St. Mark (Kostel sv. Marka) is a late Baroque building dating from 1760. Visits are possible during regular services. The historic brewery building was erected at the end of the 17th century and given a Baroque exterior; brewing ceased in the early 20th century. The estate granary complex is described as the oldest Renaissance tower granary in the district and features loophole-like windows. The church, brewery building, and granary complement the chateau buildings with ecclesiastical, commercial, and agricultural history.

There are two different anchors for choosing when to travel: the festival is held annually in June, while church visits are tied to regular services. If either occasion is essential to your hotel stay, check the dates of the specific festival edition or the services in advance.

Discover more destinations: Chlístovice, Ledečko, Vlastejovice, Zleby, Onomyšl, Uhlírské Janovice, Zbýšov, Hostovlice

For the broader travel overview: Okres Kutná Hora.