Sedlec is one of nine historic Blata villages in the Zbudovské Blata area. Its local history stretches from a prehistoric settlement to a Neo-Gothic church. The cemetery also tells of an earlier use of the site: it occupies the grounds of a former fortress, of which stone terraces remain. This gives travellers interested in culture a clear focus on archaeology and architectural history.
Archaeological Traces and Architectural History in Sedlec
The prehistoric settlement in Sedlec is considered the first of its kind in the Budějovice Basin. The recorded ground plans of the huts are also considered unique. These two features each stand out in their own way: the classification concerns the settlement in its regional context, while the ground plans reveal details of individual huts. Those interested in archaeology will therefore find both special regional significance and an unusual insight into the buildings of the time.
A later period is represented by the Church of Saint John of Nepomuk. It was built in the Neo-Gothic style and consecrated in 1868. The cemetery, in turn, occupies the site of a former fortress. Only stone terraces remain of it; a large moat surrounds the cemetery. The church and cemetery thus represent different architectural and historical aspects of Sedlec that cannot be combined into a single monument.
Folk Architecture in Plástovice
Plástovice was designated a village heritage reserve in 1995 and is considered one of the most valuable and best-known ensembles of folk architecture in Bohemia. Ornately decorated folk architecture from the 1850s and 1860s has been preserved. The large farmsteads are arranged around a T-shaped village square, which is partly open to the south. Architectural interpretation therefore takes into account the farmsteads and their decorations, as well as the shape of the square and its southern opening.
The Chapel of the Holy Trinity has stood in the centre of Plástovice since 1840. Its date predates the preserved folk architecture from the 1850s and 1860s; the village heritage reserve designation followed in 1995. This sequence distinguishes the construction history from the later recognition of the ensemble without conflating the two.
Malé Chrášťany and Other Local Features
Malé Chrášťany is a village heritage reserve with preserved farmsteads. Another distinct architectural landmark is the building of the extensive Čalounů Mill: it lies outside the village on the Soudný stream, in the direction of Zbudov. The mill, farmsteads and architectural features of Plástovice each offer a different focus; for orientation, it is worth paying close attention to the place names.
Cycle Routes and Getting There
Plástovice lies at the intersection of two major cycle routes. One runs from Zbudov via Vlhlavy and continues south; the other runs from Netolice to Zliv. Cycle Route 1083 passes through Malé Chrášťany between Plástovice and Břehov. These details provide different points of reference when choosing a route. Route conditions can change; check local signage, especially for Cycle Route 1083.
A scheduled bus service from České Budějovice to Sedlec goes as far as Malé Chrášťany. Check the timetable before travelling so you can plan your journey accordingly.
Discover more destinations: Chraschtian, NákĹ™Ă, HosĂn, ZahájĂ, Adamstadt, Závraty, Holasovice, Draschitz.
For the broader travel overview: Okres České Budějovice.
