Popovice: Church, Water Castle and Local History

Popovice combines a layered architectural history with local festival traditions. If you are planning your stay around culture and local history, the Church of St James and the water castle are the main highlights. Their architectural features range from Gothic elements to later alterations; the festival dates add a distinct seasonal dimension.

Church and Water Castle: Traces of Different Eras

The dates refer to different historical milestones: the settlement of Popovice was first mentioned in writing in 1295, and the Church of St James has been documented since 1352. The church dates from the 14th century and is Gothic.

A side chapel with Baroque furnishings was added to the south side of the nave around 1730. The tower on the west façade has a bell-shaped roof covered with shingles. The church tower also houses a historic bell made in 1512 by Bartoloměj of Nové Město Pražské. These details give the church an architectural history that goes beyond its Gothic classification.

Mass is celebrated at the Church of St James at 10:00 a.m. on the first and third Sunday of each month. If you are planning your visit around a service, please check the service schedule in advance, as times may change.

Popovice Water Castle stands west of the village church, beside the mill pond. It was remodelled into its present form in the 18th century. Part of the original Gothic perimeter wall survives on the east side facing the pond. Fragments of Renaissance sgraffito decoration can be found on the north wing and its risalit; a Gothic defensive tower with a modern-era brick upper section adjoins the north wing in the courtyard.

The church and water castle tell different architectural stories: the church brings together a Gothic character and a Baroque chapel extension. At the water castle, surviving Gothic elements and Renaissance decoration sit alongside the form shaped in the 18th century.

Local Festivals and Their Dates

Zabíjačkové hody is traditionally held in the first week of November. If you are travelling specifically for this festival, check the current date before your trip.

Hasičské odpoledne took place in 2018, 2019 and 2023. The 2018 edition offered raft rides on the local pond; in 2023, there were nearly ten competition stations for children and a slide. These specific activities were part of the respective editions.

At the Masopust parade on 3 February 2024, the procession went exclusively through Popovice and included almost 30 masked participants. If you are travelling for a festival, check the date and programme in advance.

Walking and Cycling

A green-marked walking trail passes through Popovice. Cycle Route 0068 runs through a lime-tree avenue in Popovice. A route directory lists Popovice at kilometre 27.50 of Cycle Route 0068. If you are planning to use either route, check the markings on site.

This gives you different ways to plan your stay: the buildings invite you to explore several eras, while the festival traditions and routes add specific dates and itineraries to the local history.

Discover more destinations: Zdislavice, Křečovice, Jankov, Kozmice, Bukovany, Petroupim, Snět, Heřmaničky

For the wider travel overview: Okres Benešov.