Strhaře: Padělky Nature Monument and Village History

For your trip planning, Strhaře brings together the history of the village with a range of nature and cultural themes. The chapel and several crosses tell stories of local history and remembrance; Padělky is shaped by its calcareous soil and distinctive plant species. There is also a pilgrimage, the winter Masopust tradition and a route that passes through Strhaře. You can tailor your stay according to whether you are more interested in nature, local history or a particular occasion.

History and memorials

Strhaře was first mentioned in writing in 1390. From the end of the 14th century, the village was associated with the Lomnice estate. A notable landmark in the village’s history is the Chapel of Panny Marie Růžencové: it stands on the village square and dates from 1856. Beside the chapel is an undated cast-iron cross.

Other crosses each have their own features or stories. Beside the field path to Osiky stands an old, undated cast-iron cross that was damaged by lightning. A marble cross near the former school was donated by Marie Pařízková in 1912. In Žleby, a marble cross commemorates the tragic death of František; it was donated in 1927 by the Nekouš family from Osiky. Another marble cross stands in Žleby at the turnoff to Osiky. Beside the field path to Rašov is a sandstone cross.

The surrounding area also offers historical points of interest. The Church of sv. Stanislava is located there, with a cemetery serving Strhaře and three other nearby villages. In the vicinity of Strhaře, a large statue of Saint Stanislav also stands at the site of the original church, hidden on a rock deep in the forest.

Padělky and its plant life

Padělky is a nature monument with an unusual occurrence of xerothermic and calcicolous species on calcareous soil at a relatively high elevation. Xerothermic species are adapted to warm, dry conditions; calcicolous species are associated with calcium-rich sites. These features give the nature theme a clear focus: alongside its distinctive geological foundation, its plant life is also important.

Protected and endangered plant species in Padělky include the snowdrop windflower (Anemone silvestris), common columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris), lady’s slipper orchid (Cypripedium calceolus), lesser butterfly-orchid (Platanthera bifolia) and sword-leaved helleborine (Cephalanthera ensifolia). The combination of these species, the calcareous soil and the relatively high elevation makes Padělky particularly interesting to nature enthusiasts.

Traditions and route

The pilgrimage of Panny Marie Růžencové takes place in Strhaře every year on the second Sunday in October. If you want to plan your trip specifically around it, check the exact date in advance. Masopust is also part of Strhaře’s winter traditions, giving the annual calendar another seasonal occasion in addition to the October event.

The description of the Rozhledový trip, published in April 2020, takes the route through Strhaře and then through Žleby, Synalov, Kopaniny, Ochoz, Veselí, nad Brusnou, Borač, Babylon and Kaly. It also mentions the option of completing the route by mountain bike. Check current trail and access conditions separately before setting out. The route therefore offers a different way to plan your trip than the village history and traditions tied to particular seasons.

Getting oriented locally

There is a bus stop on the village square. The chapel and the cast-iron cross beside it are additional landmarks on the square. To decide between the different themes, you can consider nature, history, traditions and the described route separately rather than planning them as a single itinerary.

Discover more destinations: Žatčany, Malešovice, Blažovice, Boudy, Běleč, Ostopovice, Hlína, Pohořelice

Go to the broader travel overview: Okres Brno-Venkov.