Discover Malenice

For a stay in Malenice, two themes can be distinguished: sacred architectural history and natural history. Local buildings point to medieval foundations, historic church interiors, and a Romanesque chapel; the cave in Jiřičků skála draws attention to crystalline limestone and evidence of use during the Ice Age. If you are looking for a hotel in Malenice, these different highlights may help shape your choice of destination: are you more interested in architectural styles and religious traditions, or in the connection between rock formations and natural history? The places below offer concrete points of interest for both.

Church, Fara, and medieval traces

The Fara Malenice building stands on the foundations of a medieval fortress. At the Church of St. James the Elder is a presbytery dating from the early 14th century. The presbytery is the choir area by the altar, identifying a specific part of the church building. Remains of wall paintings from the first half of the 14th century are also preserved behind the altar. The dates distinguish the two features: the presbytery dates from the early 14th century, while the painting remains date from the first half of that century. The Fara and the church thus present different historical evidence: here, the foundations of a fortress; there, a dated architectural feature and preserved wall paintings.

Chapel of St. Wenceslas and local history

The Chapel of St. Wenceslas offers a different architectural highlight. It was built in the style of a Romanesque rotunda; a rotunda is a circular building, and the term Romanesque places this architectural form within a historical architectural style. During the St. Wenceslas pilgrimage held in September, the chapel serves as a pilgrimage site. This brings together architectural form and religious function as two distinct aspects of the same chapel. Among those buried in the local cemetery are the architect Josef Zítek and the director Zdeněk Podskalský.

Cave and natural history

The cave in Jiřičků skála is a natural attraction in a rock formation of crystalline limestone. It was discovered in 1920. Bones found in the cave indicate that it served as a shelter for wild animals as far back as the Ice Age. The two dates serve different purposes: 1920 is the year of discovery, while the Ice Age refers to the much earlier use suggested by the bones. The cave thus combines a specific geological setting with a cautious interpretation of natural history.

Exhibitions at the IKS Centre

The exhibition space at the IKS Centre in Malenice is used for permanent exhibitions. As the exhibition programme may change, check the latest information in advance if you are interested in a particular exhibition.

Choosing a time perspective

The time perspective also helps put things in context: the church features date from the early or first half of the 14th century, while the cave was discovered in 1920 and bones indicate that it was used by wild animals as far back as the Ice Age. Medieval architectural history and a much older, cautiously inferred natural history thus stand side by side as distinct themes.

Discover more destinations: Volary, Kristanov, Němčice, Tvrzice, Ktis, Šumavské Hoštice, Stožec, Budkov

For the broader travel overview: Prachatice District.