Staré Dobrkovice: Archaeology, Chapel and Cycling

Staré Dobrkovice brings together archaeological traces, Baroque religious architecture and cycling. Dobrkovická Cave, the Chapel of Saint John of Nepomuk and the Malý Lazecko-Vyšenský Circuit represent different ways to understand the place: through its history, its buildings or a specific cycling tour. The options thus range from an archaeological site to a circular route with a stated time frame.

Archaeological traces at Dobrkovická Cave

Dobrkovická Cave lies south of Staré Dobrkovice, directly beside the road from Český Krumlov to Kájov. It is also situated on the Staré Dobrkovice section of the cycling route, beneath a vertical rock face with an overhang. A small number of bone and flint tools, along with remains of prehistoric animals, were found in the cave. It was probably temporarily inhabited by a group of Upper Paleolithic hunters of the species Homo sapiens sapiens. The tools and animal remains are tangible finds; the temporary presence of these hunters remains a tentative interpretation.

The Staré Dobrkovice archaeological site is classified as a significant locality in category ÚAN I and is assigned to the Mousterian and High Middle Ages periods. These two time designations give the site a broad historical context. This can be distinguished from the cautious interpretation that Upper Paleolithic hunters temporarily used the cave: that is a supposition, whereas the tools and animal remains are identified as finds.

Religious buildings and mill history

The Chapel of Saint John of Nepomuk is part of a unique ensemble of numerous small Baroque religious buildings. The buildings are scattered across a wide area beneath Mount Kleť and are associated with pilgrimage processions to the well-known pilgrimage site of Kájov. The chapel can therefore be understood as part of a broader religious context extending over a large area. Both its place in the ensemble and its connection with the processions to Kájov are relevant to understanding it.

Dobrkovická Mill, also known as Hamerský mlýn, lies on the Polečnice. It is a protected architectural monument in the form of a Gothic-Renaissance-Baroque complex of buildings. The different style designations convey a layered architectural character; its location on the Polečnice adds the river as a point of reference. Another bridge over the Polečnice is also among the buildings of Staré Dobrkovice. Here, the river and architectural history come together in different forms.

Cycling and landscape

If you would like to plan a specific cycling tour during your stay, the Malý Lazecko-Vyšenský Circuit has a stated time frame. The paved circular route is 14 kilometres long and takes about two hours. The route length, surface and circular layout supplement the approximate duration with practical information about the tour. The short loop is also suitable for children and less experienced cyclists. Check the conditions before setting out.

The landscape also has a clearly defined connection to a protected area: part of the row-style development of Staré Dobrkovice along the stream extends into the Blanský les Protected Landscape Area. The settlement pattern and protected landscape meet here, though this connection does not apply to the entire development.

A different, intergenerational perspective is offered by the local tradition surrounding the stalactite formations beneath the Dobrkovice Bridge. Children from several generations went there to see them. This memory of visits adds a more recent perspective on local history to the archaeological and architectural themes.

Discover more destinations: Novosedly U Ceskeho Krumlova, Lazec.

For the broader travel overview: Gojau.