The village of Drahouš lies in a sloping valley of the Drahoušský potok. The Chapel of St. John of Nepomuk is the dominant landmark in the village square. It was built in 1728 by František Josef Richtersohn, secretary to Count Černín.

Chapels, Water and Landscape

The 2-kilometre-long Plávečská chestnut avenue ends at the Chapel of Our Lady of Altötting. The chapel was once a frequently visited place of pilgrimage. Three ponds add to the village scenery: one is in the village square, and two lie directly along the course of the Jesenický potok. The source of the Rakovnický potok lies 2 kilometres east of Drahouš, at an altitude of 578 metres. The area around the source has been cleaned up, and an information board has been installed. Drahouš quarry is registered as a significant landscape feature; heat-loving communities are found in its rocky areas.

Archaeological Traces in Tlestky and near Smrk

The Tlestky fortress site is a cultural monument in the village of Tlestky, which belongs to Drahouš. The Tlesky fortress site lies on the eastern edge of Tlestky, along the road to Drahouš. It remains clearly visible behind the last houses, numbers 20 and 9. Vegetation and local conditions can affect its visibility. Archaeological investigations confirmed that the site was destroyed by fire at the beginning of the 15th century. In 2015, the fortress site was cleared of non-original fill material and vegetation, and an information board and a place to sit were installed in the forest. The dates refer to different periods: the destruction is dated to the beginning of the 15th century, while the clearing and installation work took place in 2015.

Near Smrk, a circular medieval fortress site called “Šance” has been preserved at the edge of the forest. It is a motte-type site; its central mound is about 20 metres wide, and the ditch is approximately 2 to 2.5 metres deep.

Trips and Local Highlights

The “Za Tleským pokladem” circular route leads from Jesenice via Tlestky to Drahouš. The “K zámku Svatý Hubert” trip also leads from Jesenice to the former Svatý Hubert hunting lodge and can be done on foot, by Nordic walking or by bicycle. The trip also goes to the Plaviště Natural Monument. Kámen svatého Huberta is about 300 metres from the hunting lodge, on a blue-marked hiking trail. The notice, last updated on 18 October 2024, states that the hunting lodge is currently not open to the public. Check access conditions before travelling.

The difference is clear when choosing a trip: “Za Tleským pokladem” follows the route Jesenice–Tlestky–Drahouš. “K zámku Svatý Hubert” names not only the destination but also walking, Nordic walking and cycling, and leads to the Plaviště Natural Monument. This lets you choose between a route connecting several places and a trip with specific modes of travel explicitly listed.

The small family brewery Pivovar Kokeš is located in Drahouš and uses local water from Drahouš for brewing.

Discover more destinations: Skryje, Hvozd U Rakovníka, Milostín, Pavlíkov, Příčina, Ruda U Nového Strašecí, Kounov, Mšecké Žehrovice

For the wider travel overview: Rakovník District.