Městiště combines a strong connection to nature and cycling with several historical themes. The beautiful surrounding countryside is the main reason cyclists visit the village. Other points of interest include the former toolmaking at Denkcherzův hamr and Městiště’s place on a historic trade route. The hamr was in operation until 1975; by around 1554, the village was already marked on a map of the Výšinná trade route from Zwiesel to Klatovy. Nature, cycling and history offer different ways of looking at Městiště.

Městišťské rokle Nature Reserve

The Městišťské rokle Nature Reserve was first designated on 9 December 1994. It protects spring areas, wetlands and riparian floodplains along the Jelenka stream and its tributaries. For a closer look at the landscape, it is worth distinguishing between these features: spring areas and wetlands are water-shaped environments, while riparian floodplains lie beside waterways; the conservation aims also include natural forests and treeless areas.

The conservation objectives include preserving and restoring natural forests. Herbaceous plant communities are protected in the treeless parts of the area. Preservation and restoration are two distinct tasks for the forests; in open areas, protection focuses on herbaceous plant communities. The nature reserve therefore encompasses several habitats and different conservation objectives.

Cycling and getting around

The beautiful surrounding countryside is the main reason cyclists visit Městiště. There is also a straightforward connection from Městiště to Onen Svět. These are two distinct reference points for getting around: the countryside is the main draw for cyclists, while Onen Svět is the destination reached by the easy connection. This allows visitors to consider the reason for their visit and another nearby destination separately when planning their trip.

Trade route and toolmaking

Denkcherzův hamr was in operation until 1975. Axes, hoes, ploughshares and other tools were made there from imported iron. The materials and products give a tangible sense of the former activity: imported iron is part of the workshop’s history, alongside the tools it produced. The hamr therefore represents an industrial history distinct from the nature conservation story.

By around 1554, Městiště was already marked on a map of the Výšinná trade route from Zwiesel to Klatovy. The route places the village on a historic trade route, while the hamr draws attention to toolmaking in the village itself. Zwiesel and Klatovy mark the two specific endpoints of the trade route. Together, the trade route and tool production offer different perspectives on the village’s history.

The dates also relate to different events: around 1554, Městiště was marked on the map; the hamr was in operation until 1975; and Městišťské rokle was first designated a nature reserve on 9 December 1994. This sequence helps distinguish the mapping, production and nature conservation chronologically.

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