The church, columns and historic homes offer several ways to explore the history of Gossengrün (Krajková). Different questions take center stage: How did a sacred building develop over several centuries, what do the columns commemorate, and what cultural traces did the history of buildings and the town leave behind? A recommended cycling route offers a different focus. This lets you choose between historic buildings and a cycling route to suit your travel interests.
The Church and Its Building History
The church “Kostel sv. Petra a Pavla” was first mentioned in writing in 1357; its origins are Gothic. It was renovated in the Renaissance style in the 16th century and received a new tower in the 19th century. Its building history therefore comprises several clearly distinct phases rather than a single construction date. Its furnishings include a Rococo altar with acanthus ornaments and a masterful wood carving of Italian origin from the 18th century. For culturally minded travelers, the church brings together architectural history and details of craftsmanship.
Columns and Historic Houses
The Marian column stands below the church. Countess Marie Polixena z Písnice donated it to the town in 1701; the column was renovated in 1922. There is also a plague column on the road from Krajková to Květná, commemorating the 1680 epidemic. A local company repaired it in 2008 and fully straightened it. The two columns can be distinguished by their purpose: one was donated, while the other commemorates the epidemic.
Several valuable half-timbered and plank houses in the style of the Upper Ohře region have been preserved in Krajková. They were built after the town fire of 1807; Haasův dvůr, house number 145, is one of them. Unlike the church, with its earlier and later building phases, the homes mark a distinct period of reconstruction after the fire.
Chapel, Lace-Making and Cycling Route
The Svatojánská kaplička adds to the history of sacred architecture: its construction was made possible in 1761 by Julius Heinrich von Pissnitz. Lace-making is another cultural trace. Its tradition developed after the decline of mining and is reflected in the town’s current name. The town’s history thus includes not only buildings but also a craft tradition that emerged after mining.
The “Ve stopách Habartovského pochodu” route is 21.7 km long, runs mostly on paved paths and is also recommended for cycling. For travelers looking for a cycling option alongside the history of the buildings and town, it offers a distinct focus defined by its length and route conditions.
Getting to the Church
You can reach the church “Kostel sv. Petra a Pavla” from Sokolov on bus routes 480570 and 480580. Hřebeny station is also 2.5 km away, on railway line 145 between Sokolov and Kraslice. If you plan to travel by bus or train, check the timetable before setting off.
Discover more destinations: Schönfeld, Zwodau, Königsberg A. D. Eger, Unterreichenau, Neudorf Bei Tepl, Lanz, Königswerth, Podstrani.
Go to the broader travel overview: Bezirk Falkenau An Der Eger.
