Podlesi is a small place whose history can be traced through its settlement names, glassworks, chapel and historic routes. The settlement lies on the slope of the Huťské hory above the Losenice valley. It has existed since the Middle Ages and was called Vogelsang; it has been called Podlesi since 1947, though this name was never generally used. The local history is reflected in several ways: in the settlement’s long history, glassmaking and the routes that led towards Vogelsang and beyond. The chapel, routes and trees each offer a different focus.
Glassworks and archaeological history
The glassworks in Podlesi is documented by name from 1580 and operated intermittently until the 1890s. Together with the settlement, the abandoned glassworks forms a Category UAN I archaeological area; the site is considered significant. This connection encompasses two distinct aspects of local history: a settlement that has existed since the Middle Ages and glassmaking that continued over a long period, though not without interruption. Its chronology therefore includes both the early mention and the interruptions, as well as the end of operations in the late 19th century. Those interested in cultural history will find a clear focus here, bringing the settlement and glassmaking together.
St. Barbara’s Chapel at the heart of the settlement
St. Barbara’s Chapel stands in the northern part of the former farmstead. The farmstead forms the heart of the small settlement, and the chapel’s location connects it directly to this historic centre. It was built around the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries under the glassmaker Florián Gerl. Check the current access conditions before your visit, as they may change. Its location and date of construction offer a different point of reference for local history than the glassworks: the former farmstead, the heart of the settlement and the chapel’s construction come together here.
Historic routes around Vogelsang
The Golden Trail led from Losenice to what later became Vogelsang, where it climbed towards Zhůří along branching tracks. When walking around Vogelsang, you may also come across several sections of the original Golden Trail and the Golden Road from Kašperské Hory. These two aspects complement each other: the route of the Golden Trail describes its historic direction and branches, while the walks offer the chance to see sections of both routes. This makes it possible to understand the history of the routes both through their direction and through individual sections, without conflating the two perspectives in a single description.
Trees to discover in their own right
A distinctive large-leaved lime tree stands below the path near Podlesi. In measurements taken in 2019, it was more than 30 metres tall, with a trunk circumference of almost seven metres. These measurements may change over time. The commemorative trees near Podlesi and Vogelsang are part of Šumava National Park. Another group of commemorative lime trees grows near Podlesi in two rows close to a water reservoir. These features differ: the individual lime tree is described by its height and trunk circumference, while the group by the reservoir is notable for its arrangement in two rows. Together with the historic routes, they offer a natural and cultural connection that extends beyond the buildings at the heart of the settlement.
For the broader travel overview: Kašperské Hory.
