In Horní Kněžeklady, the Jan Hus Monument and the village chapel represent two distinct historical themes. Two circular routes complement the local history with a practical choice based on distance and destination: one route focusing on castles and one signposted cycling circuit to Borkovická Blata.

The Jan Hus Monument: from the initiative to its unveiling

The Jan Hus Monument in Horní Kněžeklady was initiated in connection with the planned celebrations marking the 500th anniversary of Jan Hus’s burning at the stake. Following a public fundraising campaign, construction began in 1915. The local bricklayer Matěj Nekola built the plinth based on a design by the sculptor Švec. The monument’s history therefore includes both a public initiative and the work of local and artistic contributors.

The ceremonial unveiling took place in 1921, after Professor Švec returned from the legions in Russia. Construction and unveiling thus took place in different years: building work began in 1915, and the inauguration followed in 1921. This sequence of events gives the monument its own history, distinct from that of the chapel in the village.

Chapel and architecture

A chapel was built in Horní Kněžeklady in 1916. The village chapel with its bell is an example of the typical architecture of village chapels around the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries. Its façade stands out for its particularly impressive stucco decoration. The design is also characterized by a smooth, white-painted surface and brick-red architectural elements. The chapel offers several perspectives on local history: its year of construction, its architectural classification and the specific colours and façade design.

Archaeological sites in the municipality

At the southwestern boundary of the Horní Kněžeklady cadastral area lies a burial mound field with two barrows. It is located near a junction of forest tracks, whose layout largely takes the mounds into account. The precise location and the arrangement of the tracks are both part of the description of this archaeological site. The burial mound field is therefore a different subject from the monument in the village or the chapel’s architecture.

In the context of Dolní Kněžeklady, there is also the medieval fortified site Tvrziště U kapličky. It consists of a central mound surrounded on three sides by the remains of a water-filled moat. The site is located on a gentle northern slope at the southern edge of the settlement. The burial mound field and the fortified site thus differ both in their described form and in their location: one comprises two barrows near a forest-track junction, while the other is a central mound with the remains of a water-filled moat.

Two routes with different focuses

The Zámecká trasa is an 86-kilometre circular route for visiting four castles. Horní Kněžeklady lies along this route. The named stops include Hluboká nad Vltavou, Purkarec, Temelín, Hněvkovice, Týn nad Vltavou, Koloděje nad Lužnicí, Bechyně, Březnice and Poněšice. The route can therefore be described by its total distance and its focus on castles; the named places provide additional reference points along the circular route.

Another option is the signposted, 51-kilometre cycling circuit to Borkovická Blata. It passes through Horní Kněžeklady on both the outward and return journeys. The two routes therefore differ not only by 35 kilometres in total distance, but also in their stated destinations: the Zámecká trasa focuses on four castles, while the cycling circuit focuses on Borkovická Blata. Check the route before setting off, as it may change.

Cultural centre and getting there

All of the municipality’s cultural events take place at the cultural centre in Horní Kněžeklady. If you would like to combine your trip with an event, check the dates in advance. Bus route 157 is designated for the Týn nad Vltavou – Horní Kněžeklady – České Budějovice journey. Check the current route and timetable before travelling, as routes may change. This provides two specific planning points: the cultural centre as an event venue and the designated bus route.

Discover more destinations: Mokrý Lom, Hwozdetz, Lišov-Dolní Slověnice, Kamenná, Záboří U Českých Budějovic, Vráto, Vlachnovice, Žabovřesky.

For the overarching travel guide: České Budějovice District.