A rider with a special place in equestrian sport, a chapel on the village square and a pond open to the public for sport fishing give Řitka several points of interest. During your stay, you can focus on the history surrounding Lata Brandisová, a visit by prior arrangement, or an activity by the water. Bus and train-and-bus connections are available for travel from Prague; check current timetables and visiting times as part of your preparations.
Horse-Racing History and Visits
Lata Brandisová remains the only woman to have won the Velká Pardubická. She also spent part of her life at Řitka Castle. These two facts shed light on different aspects of her connection to the place: her victory is part of the history of horse racing, while her time at the castle is part of her biography.
The Muzeum Laty Brandis can be visited by prior telephone arrangement. The stables and facilities of Jezdecký klub Norma can also be visited by prior arrangement. This gives you two distinct options: a museum bearing Brandis’s name and a visit to the stables and facilities. Check the current arrangements before travelling; for the museum, a telephone booking is a prerequisite.
Chapel and Local History
A chapel dedicated to Saint John of Nepomuk has stood on Řitka’s village square since around the beginning of the 19th century. More recently, services in his honour have traditionally been held there in May. If you plan to attend a service, check locally for current dates. It is useful to distinguish between the chapel as a historic landmark and the service as a time-specific occasion.
The village’s history goes back further: in 1387, the settlement was recorded as “villa Lhotka, dikta Rzitka”; by 1416 at the latest, it was known as Řitka. Medieval records of the name thus sit alongside a chapel whose history began around the start of the 19th century. Those interested in the village’s historical development will find points of interest from different periods here.
Sport Fishing at Rybník Řitka
Sport fishing is open to the public at Rybník Řitka. Grassy banks provide convenient access to the water; fishing is subject to the current local rules. This is a different focus from visits related to horse-racing history and the chapel: here, the main attraction is an activity by the water, governed by local fishing rules. If sport fishing is part of your trip, take those rules into account when planning.
Getting There from Prague
Suburban bus routes 317, 321, 318 and 320 connect Řitka with Prague and are operated by the transport company Martin Uher. Alternatively, take a train from Prague to Dobřichovice station and continue by bus 448. You can therefore choose between a bus connection and a train-and-bus combination. Check current timetables before you travel to make sure your chosen connection suits your travel dates.
Discover more destinations: Chýně, Okrouhlo, Buš, Drahelčice, Chýnice, Klínec, Nučice, Úhonice.
Return to the overview of the wider area: Okres Praha-Západ.
