Bochov was founded as a mining settlement in the first half of the 14th century; the town was first mentioned in writing in 1325. Buchau (Bochov) brings together early local history, Baroque details and marked cycling routes, each appealing to different travel interests. When planning your visit, you can decide whether to focus on historic architectural styles, the town’s history or a specific cycling route.
History and Baroque Traces
The town’s founding as a mining settlement and its first written mention are two distinct historical reference points. The former places the town’s beginnings in the first half of the 14th century; the latter records the year 1325. Together, they provide Buchau with an early historical framework without equating its founding with its first written mention.
A striking feature of the townscape stands in the middle of Bochover Market Square: a Baroque sandstone statue of St. John of Nepomuk from the first half of the 18th century. The interior furnishings of a church also date from the Baroque period, around 1750. These two dates are close together, but refer to different things: the statue in the market square and the furnishings inside a church. Visitors interested in history and art will thus find two specific ways to explore the period.
Hartenštejn Castle and Archaeological Perspectives
Hartenštejn Castle is a Late Gothic artillery fortification with battery towers. Its classification makes military architecture a specific point of interest: what characterises it is not only the castle as a historic structure, but also its battery towers.
An exhibition in Hartenstein presents findings from recent archaeological research into the history of the site. This adds a perspective on the history of the grounds to the architectural one. Hartenstein reopened to the public in 2016 after a ten-year restoration. If you are planning a visit, check the current visitor regulations in advance.
Cycling Routes with Different Points of Interest
Two marked cycling routes pass through Bochov. Route 2233 runs between Březina and Nežichov; Route 2279 between Polom and Ratiboř. Their numbers and the places listed for each route help distinguish them. If one of these places matters to your trip planning, the endpoints can provide a specific reference point when choosing a route. Municipal route details may be updated; check the current route before setting off.
Another option is the Bochov–Kozlov–Mirotice–Německý Chloumek–Bochov circular route. It is suitable for road bikes and trekking bikes. This offers different ways to choose a route: for the two marked routes, the places between the endpoints are the deciding factor; for the circular route, the loop and the expressly stated types of bicycle are its defining features. Which option best suits your plans depends on whether specific places or suitability for a road bike or trekking bike is more important to you.
Planning Information
The Bochov information centre provides information about the town and cultural and sporting activities. It can therefore be a useful starting point if you want to explore your interests further while you are there. The historical sites and cycling routes offer different ways to shape your stay; you can focus on local history and architectural styles or choose one of the specifically named routes. When looking for a holiday apartment in Buchau, you can first decide which focus best matches your travel plans.
Discover more destinations: Údrc, Engelhaus, Wickwitz, Schömitz, Theusing, Pechöfen, Sankt Joachimsthal, Stiedra).
For the regional travel overview: Karlovy Vary District.
