A 15th-century fortress stands in Habří’s village square. Together with chapels, a church ruin and the protected landscape of Blanský les, it gives the village several cultural and scenic focal points. Visitors primarily interested in architectural history will find different examples of sacred and secular architecture here; the landscape adds its own distinctive character.
Fortress and brewery in the village square
Tvrz Fortress was originally a Renaissance fortress and was later remodelled in the Baroque and Neoclassical styles. Two specific features can be noted in the residential building within the complex: it has two storeys and a hipped roof, whose slopes extend down on all sides. Preserved vaults in the cellar and ground floor add to the picture of this historic building. The different architectural styles do not represent a single construction phase, but rather the alterations that followed its Renaissance origins.
The former brewery adjoins the restored fortress complex directly. Sundials are painted on the wall next to the fortress. Two different kinds of historic detail are therefore close together here: the vaults inside the former fortress and the sundials on the exterior wall of the former brewery.
Chapels and religious history
The Chapel of Saint John of Nepomuk was built by local residents in 1867. It is a brick, Neo-Romanesque structure with a rectangular floor plan and a three-sided end. Visitors interested in sacred architecture can compare these features with those of other religious buildings in the area, rather than treating all the chapels as identical stops.
Annual pilgrimages are held at the Chapel of the Holy Trinity. It was consecrated on 16 May 1892. The annual tradition and the precisely dated consecration provide different points of reference in time: the consecration marks an event in the 19th century, while the pilgrimages are described as a recurring tradition. If you are planning your trip around a pilgrimage, check the current dates in advance.
Church ruin in the nature valley
The ruin of the Church of Saint Vitus lies about one kilometre west of Habří, in a nature valley. Its location makes it a separate point of interest from the village square. A stone wall with three windows survives from the church, with pointed arches at the tops of the windows. A Chapel of Saint Vitus was added beside it at the end of the 19th century. The church was founded in 1644 near a pilgrimage site and a miraculous spring.
Wooden benches and tables stand by the ruin, intended for resting or having a picnic. Check their condition when you visit. You can combine a break at the benches and tables with a view of the surviving wall and the adjoining chapel.
Cultural heritage in a protected landscape
Habří lies in the Blanský les Protected Landscape Area. Forest covers the western part of the cadastral area. The destination therefore offers two distinct interests: the fortress and religious buildings on one hand, and the protected landscape and wooded area on the other. Visitors primarily interested in architectural history can explore the fortress, former brewery and chapels as thematic highlights. Those who also include the church ruin should take its location west of the village into account as a separate point in their plans.
Discover more destinations: Hurr, Včelná, Braníšovice, Branischen, Forbes, Teindles, Mokrý Lom, Zahájí.
Back to the main travel overview: České Budějovice District.
