The final meander of the Židova strouha forms a distinctive headland, where the hillfort of Písecká Smoleč is located. Its fortifications date from the Hallstatt period, while the first written mention of the village dates to 1379. These two points in time make the hillfort a compelling starting point for exploring local history. Other highlights include religious sites, a film connection dating to 1963, and the Sedláčkova stezka route. During your stay, you can focus on archaeology, local history or the route itself.
Hillfort and Early Local History
The enclosed hillfort complex consists of two parts; its fortifications date from the Hallstatt period. A meander is a bend in a river: here, the final bend of the Židova strouha forms the headland where the hillfort is located. The terrain, layout and historical context come together to create a clear archaeological theme. If you are interested in archaeology, you can understand the site through these three aspects: its position on the headland, its division into two parts and the dating of its fortifications.
The first written mention of Písecká Smoleč dates from 1379. This belongs to a different period from the Hallstatt dating of the fortifications: one refers to a written record of the village, the other to an early archaeological dating. This distinction helps avoid conflating the two dates into a single history.
Chapels and Remembrance
On 15 May 2026, a statue of Saint John of Nepomuk was installed in the chapel in Písecká Smoleč. The reconstructed Chapel of Saint Vojtěch contains a memorial plaque bearing the names of twelve local residents who did not return home from the First World War. The statue is associated with a specific installation date; the memorial plaque draws attention to twelve individual names and their connection to the war. Together, these details broaden the archaeological perspective to include religious associations and local remembrance.
Film History and Route
The 1963 film Einstein kontra Babinský was filmed, among other locations, at the fire station on the village square in Písecká Smoleč. This film connection offers a different way into the village’s history than the early fortifications or written record: it links the village to a specific 20th-century work and a named square.
Písecká Smoleč lies on the Sedláčkova stezka route. If you include the route in your travel plans, check the current waymarking before setting out, as its exact course may change.
Apartments and Travel Planning
When looking for an apartment in Písecká Smoleč, the focus of your stay can help guide your choice. If you are mainly interested in early archaeology, the hillfort offers a clear focal point. The chapels and memorial plaque provide a different perspective on local history, while the film connection adds a work from 1963 to the picture. The Sedláčkova stezka route brings a distinct interest in walking routes into your plans.
Discover more destinations: Květov, Varvazov, Mirovice, Orlik Nad Vltavou, Ostrovec, Nerestce, Chyšky, Slabčice.
For the overview of the wider area, see: Písek District.
