Kardašova Řečice: Church, Pond and Cycling Route

Kardašova Řečice combines a distinctive church-building history with Velký rybník, a cycling route and several historic sites. If you are looking for a hotel in Kardašova Řečice, you can plan your stay around your main interest: architectural history, cycling or time by the water. These options also differ in their practical requirements, such as access to the Jewish cemetery and weather-dependent swimming.

Velký rybník and the cycling route

Velký rybník covers 96 hectares and includes an island of about one hectare. There is a beach area by the lake where informal swimming is possible in suitable weather. The beach area is for informal swimming, not a supervised bathing facility; check the local conditions before planning to swim. Another option for active days is the Kardašova Řečice educational trail: it is 26 kilometres long and classified as an easy cycling route. It has 18 stations with rest areas and information boards. This gives you a choice between a specific cycling route and a weather-dependent swimming area.

The church’s architectural history

The Church of St John the Baptist (Kostel sv. Jana Křtitele) has several construction phases. It was probably originally a Romanesque-Gothic building from the last third of the 13th century. It was remodelled around 1380, with further alterations in the 16th, 17th and 19th centuries. The tower was added sometime between about 1614 and 1620. After the fire of 1814, it was given a distinctive onion-shaped roof; the tower is 38 metres high. For architecture enthusiasts, this sequence is particularly revealing: both the medieval origins and later changes are part of the building’s history.

Monuments and Jewish history

The monument to Boleslav Jablonský, created by Josef Strachovský, was ceremonially unveiled on 7 August 1886. Alongside the church’s architectural history, which spans several centuries, it offers a precisely dated historical reference.

Five single-storey houses from the former Jewish ghetto still remain: house numbers 191 (formerly I), 405 (II), 406 (III), 407 (VII) and 408 (VIII). To visit the Jewish cemetery, you must collect the key from paní Michalíčková, Háječek 620, Kardašova Řečice. The telephone number for collecting the key is 384 382 677. Confirm the key handover again before your arrival so you can plan for this practical step.

Former fortress and Christmas markets

The site of the former fortress is about one kilometre south of the town, on a wooded hill. A rise in the ground and a sign on the nearby road mark the location. Traditional events in Kardašova Řečice include the Vánoční trhy (Christmas markets). The town council’s cultural commission is responsible for preparing and organising them. If the markets are important for your travel dates, check the event dates before booking.

Getting there by train

Kardašova Řečice railway station is on line 225 between Havlíčkův Brod and Veselí nad Lužnicí; the line continues towards České Budějovice. Check current connections with the operator before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Ceska Olesna, Staré Hobzí, Dobrohošť U Dačic, Vlčetínec, Rapšach, Český Rudolec, Hrachoviste, Písečné U Slavonic

Return to the regional travel overview: Okres Jindřichův Hradec.