Discover Stráž: Historic Traces and Valcha Nature Park

Stráž offers several different points of interest to consider when planning a trip: its skyline, dominated by St. Wenceslas Church; historic sites such as Nový hrad and the Jewish cemetery; and the rocky landscape of Valcha Nature Park. If you’re looking for a hotel in Stráž, consider which of these themes you want to shape your stay. The town’s history stretches from medieval market rights to an archaeological site, while nature enthusiasts can explore large granite boulders and frost-weathered rocks in the nature park. Bus and train travel are also part of the journey-planning process. The Sycherák leisure centre offers opportunities for swimming, camping and fishing.

Historic Traces in Stráž

St. Wenceslas Church shapes the skyline of Stráž and is a prominent feature of the townscape. One precise date in the town’s history is 23 August 1331: on that day, Stráž received a royal privilege that included the right to hold a weekly market every Saturday. This historical detail therefore includes a specifically named market right with a fixed day of the week.

The Jewish cemetery lies about 1.5 kilometres northwest of Stráž. A stone boundary wall surrounds the site. Twenty-one gravestones, the pillars of the former gate and a pedestrian entrance have been preserved. This description covers both the cemetery’s boundary and its surviving grave and gate features. Its location is also clear for trip planning: the cemetery is northwest of the town.

The archaeological site of Nový hrad lies west of Stráž. It has an irregular square ground plan, a partly water-filled moat, a raised acropolis and a substantial rampart. These features describe different parts of the site, from its basic layout to its moat and rampart. A scholarly article from 2019 interprets the medieval settlement as a possible guard station or customs post dating to around the turn of the 12th and 13th centuries. Its function remains a historical interpretation.

Valcha Nature Park and Leisure

Established in 1980, Valcha Nature Park extends across the cadastral areas of Stráž u Tachova, Borek u Tachova, Bernartice u Stráže, Strachovice u Bernartic, Olešná and Bonětice. It therefore covers several cadastral areas. The landscape features large granite boulders and rock formations created by frost weathering. Unlike the historic sites, the focus here is on the rocks and landscape.

The nature park lies on the edge of the settlement of Valcha, along a yellow-marked trail towards Borek u Tachova. This route information offers practical guidance for planning a trip. Check local trail conditions before setting out. If you’re weighing up different interests, the rock formations and marked trail offer a connection with nature, while the church, cemetery and archaeological site bring the town’s history to the fore.

The Sycherák leisure centre offers opportunities for swimming, camping and fishing. Each activity provides a different focus for planning your leisure time. Stráž is also connected to the public bus and rail network. If you plan to travel by bus or train, check the relevant connections for your travel dates.

Discover more destinations: Sulislav, Hošťka, Cebiv, Únehle, Lom U Tachova, Bezdružice, Dlouhý Újezd, Zhoř.

For the wider travel overview: Okres Tachov.