Krejnice: Rural Landscape and Local History

Krejnice lies in the picturesque foothills of the Šumava Mountains, 18 km west of Strakonice and at an elevation of 524 m, on the border with the West Bohemian Region. The village has 80 inhabitants.

Landscape and activities

The hilly landscape around Krejnice consists of fields, meadows, pastures, and forests. Krejnice lies above the valleys of the Vojnický and Mačický streams. Both the varied terrain and the village’s position above the stream valleys shape its geographical setting. Fields, meadows, and pastures sit alongside woodland, while the valleys add another geographical feature to the landscape.

Krejnice is suitable for hiking. The surrounding landscape is ideal for more challenging cycling tours. These two activities have different geographical settings: hiking is associated with Krejnice, while more challenging cycling tours take place in the surrounding countryside. If you’re planning your stay around an activity, this distinction can help you choose your destination.

Chapel and rural architecture

The village green is home to a chapel dedicated to Saint Martin, built in the mid-19th century. Another historic landmark is a 19th-century farmstead with a rural Baroque gable; it is one of Krejnice’s sights. The chapel and farmstead offer different points of interest: the chapel stands out for its dedication and location on the village green, while the farmstead is notable for its rural Baroque gable.

The dates of the two buildings also offer a point of comparison: the chapel dates from the mid-19th century, while the farmstead dates from the 19th century. This gives you the chance to view a religious building alongside an example of rural architecture. Visitors interested in cultural heritage will find both a chapel with a specific dedication and an architectural feature that characterises the farmstead.

History of Krejnice

The first written record of Krejnice dates back to 1045. That year, the village, together with several surrounding villages, belonged to Břevnov Monastery. In 1264, Zdeslav of Kasejovice, a courtier of King Přemysl Otakar II, received Krejnice from the monastery in exchange for several villages near Prague.

The dates mark two distinct points in the village’s history: 1045 links the first written record to its then affiliation with Břevnov Monastery, while 1264 marks the later exchange. This sequence places Krejnice’s medieval history in context and distinguishes it from the 19th-century buildings. So when you visit the chapel and farmstead, you’ll encounter visible reminders of a much later period than the village’s earliest written record.

Choosing Krejnice as a destination

As you plan your trip, you can weigh up whether to focus on the hilly surroundings and hiking or on the village’s architecture and history. The local features offer a range of points of interest, from stream valleys and agricultural land to the chapel, farmstead, and timeline of medieval events. If Krejnice suits your plans, look for hotels at your destination and compare their details with your travel dates. This keeps your choice of destination aligned with your interests, while you choose a specific hotel based on your own travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Zahorčice, Kladruby, Metly, Libětice, Vacovice, Kváskovice, Mečichov, Radošovice.

For the broader travel overview: Okres Strakonice.