Boudy: History and the Alšova Trail

Local history and Budský dvůr

Boudy was established around 1640–1650 on land cleared from the royal forests. Charles IV gave these forests to the royal town of Písek in 1348; they remained the town’s property until 1948. The history of the forest lands therefore reaches far beyond the time when the village was founded. For travelers interested in local history, this connection offers an introduction to Boudy’s past. The Baroque country estate of Budský dvůr adds a chapter on architectural history.

The Baroque country estate defines the southern part of Boudy and still retains traces of its original exterior decoration. The authorities from Písek built it in 1720. The grounds of Budský dvůr were also once home to a potash works. The estate thus brings together several historical aspects: its Baroque design, the year it was built, and the former use of its grounds.

Farm complex and cultural connections

The Boudy farmstead is about 0.5 km from the village of the same name. Only the main residential and farm building, along with part of the farm wing containing a granary and stables, has survived from the complex. The farm building east of the main farm stands on the site of the former sheepfold. The condition of these buildings may change; check the current situation before your trip if needed. The surviving buildings and the former location of the sheepfold offer different insights into the complex.

Mikoláš Aleš is also connected with Budský dvůr: it was there that he met his future wife, Marina. An original drawing by Aleš survives on a wall of the estate. The meeting and the surviving work offer two different cultural and historical perspectives: a personal story and an original work of art on the building itself.

The Alšova Trail and trip planning

The Alšova Trail is suitable for hiking and mountain biking and runs between Mirotice and Čimelice. At certain stops, historical, natural, and archaeological sights in the region are explained. Budský dvůr is one of the stops featured on the Alšova Trail. This lets you combine travel along the route with themed information. If you appreciate learning about local sights as well as hiking or mountain biking, the information provided at the stops adds another dimension to the tour. Trail conditions and signage may change; check them before setting out.

Bus services from Boudy connect to Písek, Čimelice, Prague, and České Budějovice. Check the current timetable before traveling if you plan to use the bus connections for your trip. When looking for a hotel for your trip to Boudy, consider whether local and architectural history or hiking and mountain biking will be the focus of your stay. This will help you plan around the topics that interest you most.

Discover more destinations: Cerhonice, Cimelice, Putim, Podolí I, Obora U Cerhonic, Probulov, Dobev, Slabčice.

Return to the overview of the wider region: Okres Písek.