Žernovice combines historic village details with two different ways to enjoy cycling. The village square features folk Baroque gables, a chapel dedicated to Saint John of Nepomuk and a memorial to those who fell in the First World War. At the same time, Cycle Route 1088 and the “Na kole krajem Mistra Jana Husa” cycling circuit pass through the village. This gives you a clear question to consider when planning your trip: would you like to focus on village history and memorial sites, or make a cycling tour the main feature?

Folk Baroque and the Village Square

Three folk Baroque-style gables have been preserved on the village square, on houses Nos. 2, 18 and 24. The listed farmsteads bear the same house numbers. This brings together a distinctive architectural feature and heritage protection on the same buildings. The chapel on the village square dates from 1892 and is dedicated to Saint John of Nepomuk. Also on the square is a memorial to those who fell in the First World War; it was unveiled in June 1930. The architectural style, religious dedication and public commemoration each bring a different emphasis to the village’s history.

Village History and Memorial Sites

The name Žernovice is first documented in written sources in 1334. This date places the name’s recorded history in context; it is not the same as a year of foundation. Another memorial on Kobylí Hora above Žernovice commemorates the crash of an American aircraft. It was unveiled on the 50th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. The pilot died in the crash in May 1945; the memorial was erected by local resident Jan Ludačka. The dates serve different purposes: May 1945 marks the crash, while the 50th anniversary marks the occasion for the later unveiling.

Several stone crosses and wayside shrines can be found in Žernovice and the surrounding area. Those interested in these smaller religious and memorial features can look beyond the village square to the surrounding landscape. Together with the memorials bearing specific dates, they add further places of remembrance to the village’s history.

Cycling Through Žernovice

Cycle Route 1088 runs from Netolice via Kratochvíle and Vítějovice to Žernovice, continuing on to Prachatice. The full route is 26 kilometres long, rated moderate and suitable for trekking bikes and mountain bikes. Žernovice lies along the route, which continues beyond the village to Prachatice. It is advisable to check current route conditions before setting off.

The “Na kole krajem Mistra Jana Husa” cycling circuit also passes through Žernovice. The two routes offer different points of reference for planning: for Route 1088, the total distance, difficulty level and suitable bike types are specified, while the other is described as a circuit. You can choose whether to start with a route whose distance is specified or with the format of a circular tour.

If you are looking for a holiday apartment for a stay in Žernovice, you can choose the village with these interests in mind: historic buildings and memorial sites on the one hand, and cycling on the other. Which one tips the balance depends on what you would like to include in your trip.

Discover more destinations: Lčovice, Záblatí U Prachatic, Chroboly, Račov, Bošice, Drslavice, Dub U Prachatic, Smedec.

Return to the wider travel overview: Prachatice District.