Svojšín: Castle History and Routes Along the Mže

Castle history, sacred buildings and the landscape along the Mže offer different reasons to visit Svojšín. The castle brings together its history and surviving decorative features, along with two adjoining ornamental gardens. From the castle, two separate 3 km round trips lead to different destinations: the “Skalní defilé” nature trail and the viewpoint on Tannenberg. The railway station adds specific route connections to your travel planning. If you are looking for a hotel, you can first decide whether culture, hiking or seasonal boating on the Mže will be the focus of your stay.

Getting There by Train

Svojšín railway station has step-free access to the station building or passenger shelter, as well as to all platforms. If you need step-free access, check the station information before your trip. The station is on route 178 between Plzeň and Cheb, as well as route 186 between Svojšín and Bor. For specific train times, check the current timetable.

Castle and Building History

Svojšín Castle was built in 1723 under Count Jan Václav Příchovský, on the site of an older building. The single-storey building has a passageway accessed through a stone portal; leather wall coverings and Baroque marble fireplaces have been preserved inside. Two ornamental gardens adjoin the castle.

Church and Chapel

The Church of St. Peter and Paul is dated to the mid-12th century on the basis of its masonry, which features large sandstone blocks. It is among the most significant monuments of its kind in southwestern Bohemia. St. Nicholas Chapel is located near the railway station. From 2017 to 2023, it was restored at its original site and in its original form, based on surviving photographs.

Landscape and Routes

Svojšín lies in the valley of the Mže. The river has cut through predominantly forested hills, and in the lowlands it is flanked by meadows with diverse flora and fauna. The “Skalní defilé” nature trail is a 3 km round trip from the castle. At the end, there are views of the Svojšín Basin and the meanders of the Mže.

Another 3 km round trip from the castle leads to the viewpoint on Tannenberg. It follows the red-marked hiking trail at first, then the green-marked trail. The viewpoint is at a cross on the site of a former forest chapel. Both 3 km round trips start at the castle and lead to different destinations: the “Skalní defilé” route offers views of the basin and river meanders, while Tannenberg leads to a viewpoint at the former chapel site. Check the route information again before setting out.

The Mže in Spring

In spring, the Mže can be navigated on the stretch from Pavlovice to Svojšín, and possibly onward to Stříbro. Continuing beyond Svojšín is therefore an option, not part of every route described. Check seasonal river conditions before setting out.

Cultural Context in Řebří

The Jewish Cemetery in Řebří is also part of the area’s cultural context. It was declared a cultural monument in 2007. A total of 143 tombstones have survived there, including one dating from 1742. The years refer to different things: 2007 is the year it was declared a cultural monument, while 1742 is the date of a surviving tombstone.

Discover more destinations: Horní Kozolupy, Ošelín, Zadní Chodov, Lom U Tachova, Stříbro, Milíře, Únehle, Erpužice.

See the wider travel guide: Tachov District.