Blovice brings together notable architectural history and a variety of local features: the Neo-Gothic Hradiště Castle stands on a promontory between the Úslava and the Komoranský stream, while the Baroque Church of St. John the Evangelist sits on a terrace above the Úslava. There is also an Empire-style funerary chapel, a Jewish cemetery and the Blovice biotope. Visitors interested in culture and history will find several distinct themes here, rather than just a single building.
Hradiště Castle and its park
The castle lies on the southeastern edge of Blovice. Its present appearance took shape during an extensive Neo-Gothic renovation from 1872 to 1874. Traces of its earlier history can be seen in the cellar, where remains of the original Gothic fortress have been preserved. The historical cellar exhibition traces the castle’s development from the Gothic period through the Renaissance and Baroque periods to the Empire style. It uses 3D models, video presentations and archaeological finds. Check the exhibition’s visiting arrangements in advance.
The castle park also reflects a distinct period. As part of the extensive Neo-Gothic redesign of the castle, it was remodelled in the then-fashionable English style between 1872 and 1874. A surviving brick bridge stands out for its railing, designed in the form of interconnected tree stumps and branches. This detail gives the park a different design character from the castle’s Neo-Gothic architecture.
Church, funerary chapel and cemetery
The Baroque Church of St. John the Evangelist stands on a terrace above the Úslava and is a protected cultural monument. The Kolowrat funerary chapel is located north of the church nave. It is an Empire-style chapel dating from 1833. The contrast highlights two different architectural forms and periods in Blovice: the Baroque church and the later Empire-style funerary chapel.
Another place with its own historical significance is the Jewish cemetery of Blovice. It contains 214 surviving gravestones. This figure gives a concrete sense of the extent of the surviving collection without reducing the cemetery to a single monument. Together with the castle, church and funerary chapel, it broadens the view of the town’s diverse cultural traces.
Blovice Biotope
The biotope offers a different focus from the historic buildings. It uses a biological method to purify water without chemical treatment; the water is filtered through lagoons planted with aquatic plants. The site includes a wooden walkway and a grassy area for sunbathing. Check the facility’s current status before visiting.
Getting there and hiking route
Blovice can be reached by bus and train. Check connections for your travel date. Hikers may also be interested in the blue KČT route 1413, which passes the Museum of the Southern Pilsen Region in Blovice. As route markings may change, follow the current signs on site.
The different sites offer distinct points of interest: the castle and park showcase Neo-Gothic design and older architectural remains; the church and funerary chapel reflect sacred architectural history; and the cemetery is another surviving place of remembrance. The biotope adds water purification and a landscaped site to the mix. This makes it easy to explore Blovice according to your interests, without presenting the individual sites as an unverified walking tour.
Discover more destinations: Líšina, Útušice, Čižice, Ves Touškov, Prádlo, Sedliště Nad Úslavou, Přestavlky U Dnešic, Borovy.
For the broader travel overview: Plzeň-Jih.
