A village square with a chapel, crosses along the roads and a recurring October event offer concrete points of connection to Strhaře’s history and annual cycle. Different themes can help you decide on your trip: the village’s long history, its memorials and seasonal traditions. Padělky is a distinct nature destination. If you are looking for accommodation, you could first consider whether to plan your trip around a tradition or focus mainly on history and plants.
Chapel and Village History
The Chapel of Panny Marie Růžencové stands in the village square and dates from 1856. There is also a bus stop in the square. The first written mention of Strhaře dates from 1390; from the end of the 14th century, the village was associated with the Lomnice estate. Both details belong to the same early period, but refer to different historical points: the first written mention, on the one hand, and the association with the estate, on the other.
Crosses in Different Locations
The material and location help distinguish the individual memorial crosses. An undated cast-iron cross stands beside the chapel. An old, also undated cast-iron cross is located by the field road to Osiky; it was damaged by lightning. Near the former school stands a marble cross donated by Marie Pařízková in 1912. These are distinct crosses, each with its own clues in terms of location and origins.
There are two marble crosses in Žleby. One commemorates the tragic death of František and was donated in 1927 by the Nekouš family of Osiky. The other stands at the turnoff to Osiky. A sandstone cross is located beside the field road to Rašov. Those interested in local history will find not just one central memorial site, but memorials made of different materials, with different dates of donation and associations.
The Church of sv. Stanislava, with a cemetery serving Strhaře and three other surrounding villages, is also in the vicinity of Strhaře. A large statue of Saint Stanislav also stands nearby, hidden on a rock deep in the forest at the site of the original church. The church and cemetery and the statue are distinct landmarks; the statue is associated with the site of the original church.
Padělky and Its Plant Life
Padělky is a natural monument with an unusual occurrence of xerothermic and calcicolous species on calcareous ground at a relatively high elevation. “Xerothermic” refers to an affinity for warm, dry conditions; “calcicolous” indicates the importance of calcium-rich conditions. Protected and endangered plant species found there include snowdrop anemone (Anemone silvestris), common columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris), lady’s slipper orchid (Cypripedium calceolus), lesser butterfly orchid (Platanthera bifolia) and sword-leaved helleborine (Cephalanthera ensifolia). The specific species names make the natural character of the site especially tangible and offer nature enthusiasts a different focus from the chapel, crosses and village history.
Annual Cycle and Route
The pilgrimage of Panny Marie Růžencové takes place every year on the second Sunday in October. In winter, Masopust is one of the traditions in Strhaře. These are two clearly distinct seasonal occasions to consider when planning: the pilgrimage, with its fixed October schedule, and the winter tradition. If you want to travel specifically for the pilgrimage, check the date for the year you plan to visit.
A route description published in April 2020 takes the Rozhledový trip through Strhaře and then through Žleby, Synalov, Kopaniny, Ochoz, Veselí, nad Brusnou, Borač, Babylon and Kaly. It also mentions the option of completing the route by mountain bike. The description gives an overview of the route, not current conditions: check the current surface and access separately before setting out.
Discover more destinations: Moravské Bránice, Drahonín, Popovice, Troubsko, Troskotovice, Rojetín, Veverská Bítýška, Pohořelice.
For the broader travel overview: Brno-Country District.
