Nová Olešná lies in a beautiful valley along a stream lined with alders. The alders along the stream gave the village its name; the landscape and the place name thus point to the same local feature. Two historical landmarks complement the landscape: in the centre stands the Chapel of the Holy Trinity, and on the southern edge the Jan Amos Komenský Memorial, at the former cemetery of the Bohemian Brethren. They represent different themes: Baroque sacred architecture and the memory of Komenský and the Bohemian Brethren. When choosing Nová Olešná, you can decide how to balance the landscape with tangible traces of local history.

Local history and former names

Nová Olešná was established in the 12th century; the first written mention dates from 1379. The two dates mark different milestones: one places the village’s establishment in context, while the other records its first written mention. Because of its remote location, Nová Olešná became one of the refuges of the Bohemian Brethren. Its early development and religious role are both part of its history. Until 1947, Nová Olešná was called Německá Olešná, or Deutsch Wolleschna in German. The name change adds another historical layer alongside the village’s founding and first written mention.

Chapel of the Holy Trinity

In the centre of Nová Olešná, the masonry Chapel of the Holy Trinity, with its rendered exterior, stands at a sharp bend. Its three-sided chancel describes the shape of the building’s end. The chapel is an example of small-scale Baroque sacred architecture; its remarkable bells are another notable feature. The stone portal is dated 1722; the date refers to the portal. Location, form, material, and a dated architectural feature can thus be considered together. If you are interested in architecture, note the distinction between the chapel’s general classification as small-scale Baroque sacred architecture and the more precise date of the portal.

Jan Amos Komenský Memorial

On the southern edge of Nová Olešná, the Jan Amos Komenský Memorial stands at the former cemetery of the Bohemian Brethren. It is a granite stone from 1929, set on a plinth. The stone bears a bronze relief medallion depicting the head of the teacher, with the inscription “J. A. KOMENSKÉMU”. Another inscription reads “PAMÁTCE / ČESKÝCH BRATŘÍ”. The two dedications emphasize different things: the medallion names Komenský, while the other inscription commemorates the Bohemian Brethren. The memorial stands on an unfenced, grassy area with mature trees. Its location at the former cemetery and on the southern edge of the village distinguishes it from the centrally located chapel. The details about the stone, relief, and inscriptions also add to the description of its design.

This distinction can help you plan your stay around a particular theme: the chapel draws attention to architecture and the Baroque, while the memorial focuses on Komenský and the Bohemian Brethren. The stream and the alders that gave the village its name add a landscape perspective to these cultural themes. You can therefore focus on architecture, the religious history of the village, or the connection between the place name and the landscape.

Discover more destinations: Hrutkov, Rapšach, Drunče, Rosec, Velký Ratmírov, Strmilov, Číměř, Lodhéřov

For the broader travel overview: Jindřichův Hradec District.