The Czech section of the Way of St. James runs from Bělá nad Radbuzou through Hostouň, reaches the Church of St. James, and continues via Přes in the direction of Kladruby. The church is therefore explicitly part of the route. Hostouň also has an information board with a detailed description of the Way of St. James. For planning, it is worth checking the route description against the local signage before setting out. This will help you keep track of both the route as described and your bearings along the way.

St. James: Written Records and Building History

The Church of St. James is documented in written records dating back to 1369. The current Baroque building may incorporate masonry from an older church. The year 1369 refers to the written record, not to the construction date of the present Baroque building. Wall paintings adorn the church, and its tower houses three bells dated 1453, 1516, and 1562. These dates span more than a century and add specific chronological markers to the building’s history. The written record, the possible older masonry, the wall paintings, and the dated bells each represent different aspects of the church’s history.

A Baroque Statue with Two Dates

Hostouň is also home to a Baroque statue dating from 1722, which underwent conservation treatment in 2021. The two dates mark different milestones: 1722 is associated with the statue, and 2021 with its later conservation treatment. This distinguishes the work’s date from the more recent work carried out on it. Together with the church’s architectural and decorative details, the statue offers another perspective on the town’s cultural history.

From Fortress Residence to Castle

The former fortress ceased to serve as a seat of lordship in 1656; in the 18th century, it was converted into a castle. The castle formerly served as a hunting lodge and later as a residence for the widowed Princess Anna Trauttmannsdorfová. The dates mark distinct changes: first, its role as a seat of lordship came to an end, and later it was converted into a castle. Its former uses add another layer of history. Those wishing to explore Hostouň’s history beyond its buildings will find a succession of changing functions here, from its former role as a fortress residence to its use as a hunting lodge and, later, as the princess’s residence.

A Historical Connection to the Spanish Riding School

Another episode takes us back to the Second World War. At that time, the Lipizzaner breeding establishment in Hostouň was tasked with training stallions for the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. Unlike the church and castle, the focus here is not on architectural history but on a specific training assignment. The connection to an institution in Vienna adds another facet to the town’s history, alongside its church, castle, and art. For those interested in cultural history, it offers a distinct focus alongside the evidence of religious art and the castle’s former uses.

For planning your trip, there are two distinct but connected ways to explore the area: the Way of St. James provides a specific route and leads to the church, while the town’s history can be discovered through its architectural styles, furnishings, uses of the castle, and historical breeding establishment. You can therefore tailor your stay more towards the route stop or the area’s different historical themes.

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See the wider travel overview: Okres Domažlice.