Štěchovice: Architectural History, Hrkání and Ponds

Štěchovice offers several points of interest for planning a trip: architectural history, the Easter tradition of Hrkání, and three ponds east of the village. There is also a sports field and information about recommended cycling routes. If you plan your stay around cultural and landscape interests, the range extends from architectural heritage and a seasonal tradition to the ponds and cycling routes.

Architectural History in Several Layers

Zámeček stands in the northeastern part of Štěchovice. It is a single-storey, three-winged building with Renaissance origins. Later alterations were made in the Baroque period; its present appearance resulted from a Neoclassical renovation. This sequence is important for understanding the building: the Renaissance marks its origins, the Baroque a later phase of alterations, and Neoclassicism the renovation that gave it its present appearance. The details of its single storey and three wings add information about its form to the history of its architectural styles.

The Špejchar, also called Špýchar, near the manor farm offers a different perspective on the architectural heritage. The building dates from the 18th century, is a protected monument, and served as a contribution granary. Here, its former function and protected status are central, while Zámeček is understood primarily through its building phases and appearance.

The Chapel of St. John of Nepomuk on the Strakonice–Volenice road dates from 1861. Alongside the several building phases of Zámeček, it provides a specific historical date. The year helps distinguish the chapel’s date from the earlier origins and alterations of Zámeček.

Hrkání at Easter

The tradition of Hrkání is observed in Štěchovice during the Easter period. Until Good Friday, children walk through the village four times a day. On Good Friday, everyone meets at the Chapel of St. John by the fire and burns an effigy of Judas stuffed with straw. The sequence gives the tradition a clear timeline: the recurring processions until Good Friday are followed by a gathering on that day. The chapel also gives the tradition a clear connection to one of the named buildings in Štěchovice.

Ponds, Sports and Cycling Routes

Štěchovice has three ponds, located about one kilometre east of the village. They add a landscape element to the architectural history and local traditions. The Krčohrad castle site is also near Štěchovice. It is considered the remains of a castle dating from the turn of the 14th and 15th centuries. This dating differs from the year given for the chapel and the building phases of Zámeček, and offers another historical point of interest in the surrounding area.

The sports facilities include a sports field where Nohejbal tournaments are also held. There is also a table tennis table and a resting pavilion at the field. These add practical information about sports and a place to relax at the sports field to the historical and landscape highlights.

For finding your way by bicycle, the recommended cycling routes are useful: they follow side roads and local roads, with some sections also running along field and forest tracks. Some local roads may be in poor condition. If you are planning a cycling trip, take both the changing types of route and this possible road condition into account.

Discover more destinations: Drážov, Milonovice, Bratronice, Cerneves, Chobot, Kraselov, Lom, Vacovice

For the regional travel overview: Okres Strakonice.