A medieval sandstone cross in Kbelany points to the former marking of property boundaries; the wooded Harabaska lies about two kilometres away. This brings local history and landscape together in your plans, without making them the same focus. If you are looking for a holiday apartment, you can first consider whether the historic features in the village, a hike in the surrounding area or a cycling route should shape your stay.
Village History and Buildings
Kbelany was first mentioned in written records in 1239. The village belonged to the Benedictines of Kladruby until the second half of the 18th century. Twenty-three farmsteads are recorded for that period. An early written reference and a later phase in the village’s ownership history thus sit side by side; the number of farmsteads also gives a concrete indication of the settlement’s structure at the time.
A hexagonal chapel topped by a small bell tower stands in the village square. A wayside shrine stands on the road to Rochlov and was probably built in the mid-18th century. The chapel is defined by its shape and bell tower; the wayside shrine also has an approximate date.
The sandstone cross adds another dimension: it dates from the Middle Ages and is a rare surviving example of how boundaries between individual properties were marked. Its function differs from the village’s ownership history: the cross concerns the historic division of individual properties, not Kbelany’s affiliation as a whole.
Harabaska and the Local Landscape
Harabaska is a wooded hill, 502 metres high, about two kilometres from Kbelany. The hill is a possible destination for a hike in the nearby area. This provides a landscape-focused option in the surrounding area alongside the village’s historic points of interest: on a hike, the focus is on the hill and its surroundings, rather than on a single building.
Kbelany has several small ponds as well as a water reservoir in the village square. These bodies of water are part of the village’s character; Harabaska, by contrast, is the wooded hill in the surrounding area.
Near Harabaska, visitors may come across overgrown remains of old trenches and abandoned underground shelters. The area around the hill was once a military training ground. The remains may be unstable and access may be restricted; check locally whether a visit is possible.
Cycling Route 2204
Regional cycling route 2204 is another option for active days. It runs through the cadastral area of Kbelany along existing local roads, service roads and farm tracks from Rochlov towards Sulislav. Unlike the hiking option at Harabaska, this is a regional cycling route that uses different types of path. Take this mix of surfaces into account when planning, and check the current route before setting off.
Discover more destinations: Rochlov, Přehýšov, Černíkovice, Zbůch, Kaznějov, Nová Jezná, Nadryby, Ulice
For the broader travel overview: Plzeň-Sever District.
