Ostředek brings together architectural history and traces of earlier glass production with marked cycling and hiking trails. This offers a choice of different focuses for planning your trip: you can explore the historic buildings or include one of the described routes in your stay.
Castle and Chapel: Architectural History in Detail
Ostředek Castle is a Baroque building dating from the 18th century. The castle complex includes the Chapel of Saint John of Nepomuk. It was built in 1741 on the site of a 14th-century fortress. The castle and former fortress therefore represent different periods in the history of the town.
The brick chapel has a square floor plan, a gabled roof and a small tower with an onion dome. The chapel complex also includes a cross and a retaining wall. The chapel houses a statue of Čechie from 1765, which was exhibited at EXPO in Montreal. These details invite you to consider the chapel both as a building and as a place with its own cultural history.
The reconstructed castle chapel was used for regular classical music concerts. If you are planning to travel to Ostředek for a concert, check the current programme separately.
The Former Glassworks and Its Traces
On 15 September 1829, the glassworks was solemnly dedicated to Mary. From then on, the valley where it stood was called Mariánské údolí. Hollow glass was made there and sold at markets in the surrounding area, particularly in Prague. Some of the products were sent as far as the Česká Lípa area for further processing. The story thus connects the former production site with a sales market and a further stage of processing.
The buildings of the former glassworks were demolished after 1891. Today, shards of glass and fragments of crucibles at the site recall the glass production. They are part of the history of the former operation; the buildings themselves no longer stand.
A Visit by Appointment
Rodná světnička Svatopluka Čecha was established in 1898 and later became a destination for many readers of his works. Visits are possible by prior arrangement through the Lotos Sanatorium. Before travelling, check the contact details so you can plan your appointment accordingly.
Marked Cycling and Hiking Trails
Marked cycle route 0079 runs from Čakov through Ostředek towards Třemošnice. There, it turns north via a local road towards Choratice. The yellow-marked hiking trail runs from the junction with the red trail below Bělčice to Ostředek, then continues via Čakov and Křešice to Český Šternberk.
The trails follow different sequences of places and are intended for different modes of travel: the cycle route passes through Ostředek and continues towards Třemošnice and Choratice; the hiking trail reaches Ostředek from the junction below Bělčice and then continues via Čakov and Křešice to Český Šternberk. When choosing a route, use these named places as your guide and consider whether you plan to travel by bike or on foot.
Parking areas for visitors are listed at the petrol station on the D1 and in front of the guesthouse and restaurant building in Ostředek. Please check access and availability in advance.
Discover more destinations: Řimovice, Radošovice, Zahorí U Milicína, Litichovice, Chlístov, Čakov, Popovice, Libež.
For the wider travel overview: Okres Benešov.
