If you are considering a stay in Kozárovice, you can take in its landscape, local history and architectural heritage together. The village lies in the Central Bohemian Highlands on the eastern slope of the 568 m-high Březina mountain. Its medieval origins, a hillfort with a distinctive layout and the history of the local granite offer different facets of its cultural heritage. A cycle route and nearby Orlík Reservoir add other interests that may play a role in choosing a destination.
Local history and historical traces
Kozárovice has medieval origins and is mentioned in a document from the third quarter of the 12th century. The medieval and early modern town centre is an area where archaeological finds have been discovered. If you like to understand historic places through more than individual buildings, you can also consider the town centre itself as part of the area’s history. The medieval reference and the archaeological significance of the town centre offer different points of reference in time.
One specific example of architectural history is the Chapel of the Virgin Mary. It is an unoriented Baroque building dating from the late 18th century, with a five-sided chancel. The technical term “unoriented” means that the building is not aligned towards the east. It also has rich Baroque fresco decoration. The uncovered paintings are of exceptionally high artistic quality. The building’s form, date and painted decoration show different aspects of the chapel that can be distinguished when looking at it.
Hillfort and Kozárovice granite
The four-part Kozárovice–Vystrkov hillfort covers approximately 12.5 ha. Four prominent transverse belts of ramparts divide the site. These describe two different features: the approximate area of the site and its division by the ramparts. For travellers interested in archaeological sites, this combination offers a vivid way to explore the layout of a hillfort.
The use of Kozárovice granite also extends beyond local history. After 1900, the stone was used in the construction of the Vienna Parliament. It can also be found in the courtyard of Zvíkov Castle and was used on the Gothic portal of the main entrance to Orlík Castle. These examples show the granite in different architectural contexts: in the construction of a parliament building, in a castle courtyard and on a Gothic portal. Those interested in architecture can thus consider the history of the material alongside the town’s archaeological and Baroque heritage.
Cycle route, reservoir and accommodation
The 41.5 km Okolo Orlické přehrady II cycle route passes through Kozárovice and Holušice and is suitable for trekking bikes. This gives you a clearly identified way to make cycling a focus of your travel plans. The current condition of the route should be checked separately. The area around Kozárovice is also home to Orlík Reservoir on the Vltava and several campsites. Campsite availability may change, so check for your travel dates.
The Vystrkov recreation centre and Hotel Orlík are located within the cadastral area of Kozárovice. When choosing where to stay, you can weigh up different interests: the history and architecture of the village, the cycle route, or the reservoir and campsites in the surrounding area.
Discover more destinations: Pečice, Milešov, Dubno, Oboz, Vystrkov, Háje, Čím, Obecnice
Go to the overview of the wider region: Příbram District.
