Schönwald combines a remarkable natural environment with a rich history of sacred architecture. The Hornohradský potok natural monument also extends into the cadastral area of Krásný Les. The village is home to the early Baroque parish church of St Peter and Paul and a chapel with a Madonna in its gable niche. Nearby, an educational trail around Horní hrad broadens the range of topics to include landscape and regional history. During a stay, you can explore nature, architecture and regional history as distinct areas of interest.
Nature and habitats along the Hornohradský potok
The Hornohradský potok area comprises a mosaic of Natura 2000 habitats: ash-alder floodplain forests, wet meadows with meadowsweet, wet cabbage-thistle meadows and streamside fringes along mountain streams. These technical terms refer to forest, meadow and streamside habitats; the two types of wet meadow are distinguished by meadowsweet and cabbage thistle. The natural environment here therefore extends beyond the stream itself. The area is home to the largest population of ramsons in the Karlovarský kraj; there are also stands of ostrich fern. The stream serves as a breeding habitat for the fire salamander. The natural features have different points of emphasis: the ramsons population is notable at the regional level, while the stream’s role in the fire salamander’s reproduction is the focus in its case.
Church of St Peter and Paul: two building phases
The parish church of St Peter and Paul in Krásný Les is early Baroque and was built around the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries. A new bell tower was added in 1794–1795. This reveals two distinct building phases: the original church and the later addition of the tower. The bell tower was added about a century after the church was built. The church has been partially restored and is open only occasionally. If you plan to visit the interior, check in advance whether it will be accessible at the time of your visit; regular opening hours should not be assumed.
Educational trail around Horní hrad
Near Schönwald, the educational trail around Horní hrad is suitable for school groups and families with children. Its information panels cover sights in the area around the castle, the region’s history and the remarkable landscape with its romantic park. Specific sights are presented alongside regional history and views of the landscape. The trail offers a distinct focus for travellers who want to explore cultural and landscape themes together.
Chapel on the northwestern edge of the village
The chapel in Krásný Les stands beside a road on the northwestern edge of the village. Its triangular gable has a niche containing a Madonna. The shape of the gable and the figure provide a distinctive architectural feature alongside the parish church. While the church can be understood through its construction period and the later addition of the bell tower, the chapel’s defining feature is the interplay between its gable and niche.
Discover more destinations: Valč, Andělská Hora, Malá Víska, Vysoká Pec, Sichlau, Útvina, Šemnice, Žlutice
Return to the regional travel overview: Karlovy Vary District.
