The Church of St. John the Baptist (Kostel sv. Jana Křtitele), five surviving houses of the former Jewish ghetto, and Velký rybník reveal different sides of Kardašova Řečice. There is also a cycling educational trail, along with practical information on travelling by train and visiting the Jewish cemetery. This lets you plan your time around your interests in architectural history, local history, landscapes or cycling.
A church with several building phases
The Church of St. John the Baptist (Kostel sv. Jana Křtitele) was originally probably a Romanesque-Gothic building dating from the last third of the 13th century. It was remodelled around 1380, with further alterations in the 16th, 17th and 19th centuries. The tower was added sometime between about 1614 and 1620. After the fire of 1814, it was given its distinctive onion-shaped roof and stands 38 metres high. This sequence makes it possible to distinguish the probable medieval origins, later changes and the tower’s own building history.
Jewish heritage and historic sites
Five single-storey houses from the former Jewish ghetto still survive today: house numbers 191, 405, 406, 407 and 408. They were formerly numbered I, II, III, VII and VIII. Comparing the current and former numbers provides a practical way to match the historical designations to the houses. The monument to Boleslav Jablonský was created by Josef Strachovský and ceremonially unveiled on 7 August 1886.
The site of the former Kardašova Řečice fortress lies about one kilometre south of the town, on a wooded hill. A rise in the ground and a sign on the nearby road mark the site; most of the fortress remains have been removed. To visit the Jewish cemetery, you must collect the keys from paní Michalíčková, Háječek 620, Kardašova Řečice. The listed telephone number is 384 382 677. Confirm the key arrangements again before travelling.
Velký rybník and the cycling educational trail
Velký rybník covers 96 hectares and includes an island of about one hectare. The lake has a beach area where swimming is possible when the weather is suitable. This is informal swimming, not a managed bathing facility; check the conditions on site. This allows you to combine the lake landscape with a possible swim, weather permitting.
You can include the Kardašova Řečice educational trail in a cycling itinerary: it is 26 kilometres long and rated easy. The trail has 18 stops with rest areas and information boards. Its length and rating offer different points of reference for planning your ride; the stops add places to rest and information along the route. This route therefore offers both cycling and stopping points along the educational trail.
Getting there and event dates
Kardašova Řečice railway station is on line 225 between Havlíčkův Brod and Veselí nad Lužnicí, continuing towards České Budějovice. If you plan to travel by train, check the operator’s timetable before your trip for any changes. This is especially useful if you want to coordinate your arrival with a planned visit or event.
Traditional events in Kardašova Řečice include the Vánoční trhy (Christmas markets). Their preparation and organisation are handled by the town council’s cultural commission. If you want to plan your stay around the markets, check the specific event dates before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Kostelní Vydří, Horní Pěna, Popelín, Vícemil, Bořetín U Strmilova, Dolní Žďár, Kunžak, Hadravova Rosička.
For the broader travel overview: Jindřichův Hradec District.
