Čižice: Granite Landscape and Village History

Čižice lies in a landscape known as a granite island. The local granite led to the opening of quarries, which provided many residents with a livelihood. Jelení vrch rises above the village to 519 metres above sea level; the Vysoká forest lies to the east. The village’s history also includes the growth of local stone masonry, documented since around 1870. The landscape and the craft are thus intertwined in the history of Čižice.

Village History and Buildings

The first written mention of Čižice dates from 1115; at the time, the Kladruby Monastery is said to have owned an estate there. The Chapel of St. Adalbert is a Baroque building dating from the mid-18th century. It has been preserved in its substance and in the details of its original construction. Together with the nearby memorial cross, it is a surviving cultural and historical feature of the village green. The historical landmarks thus range from the village’s early mention to a Baroque-era building and the later stone-masonry tradition.

Hiking and Enjoying the Outdoors

Changing Trail Markers at the Čižice Bridge

At the Čižice Bridge, leave the red-marked hiking trail, cross the bridge and then continue on the yellow-marked route. Check the trail markers on site before setting off.

Route to Kozí kámen

A yellow-marked hiking route leads from Čižice across a bridge over the Úhlava to the Kozí kámen rock formation. The route description thus connects a marked section of trail with a specific destination in the landscape.

Near Čižice, on the summit of Vysoká, there is a preserved rock town with pointed towers several metres high. There are several climbing routes and bolts in the rocks, which are also visited by beginner climbers. Two cycling routes pass through Čižice; check the current route before setting off. The Úhlava near Čižice is also used by water sports enthusiasts for paddling. As river conditions vary seasonally, check conditions before your trip.

Brewery and Village Life

Pivovar Bizon is a family microbrewery in Čižice. It opened in 2011 as part of the adjacent Hostinec U Bizona. The brewery specialises in Pilsner-style lagers as well as top-fermented, cold-hopped beers. Its beers are neither filtered nor pasteurised. Details about the brewery, its beer styles and production give the village another distinctive feature alongside its stone-masonry history.

The Husova pouť is celebrated on 6 July on the village green, which is lined with lime trees. If you are planning your trip around the celebration, check the programme in advance. Summer entertainment events in Čižice are known as “Čihule”; they take place on an outdoor dance floor surrounded by greenery. The village green is therefore both a cultural and historical landmark and the setting for a recurring festival, while “Čihule” gives the village’s summer events their own distinctive name.

Discover more destinations: Blovice, Předenice, Lužany U Přeštic, Životice, Nepomuk, Týniště, Vlčtejn, Dolní Lukavice

For the regional travel overview: Plzeň-Jih.