Rudlice combines an early history with a striking reminder of 1821: the village was a centre of the last peasant uprising in the Bohemian lands. Traces of mills and smithing also lead to different chapters in the area’s industrial history. There is also a stream in the valley, woodland and fruit trees, and specific starting points for hiking and cycling tours. If you choose Rudlice as a destination, you can plan your stay around its history and landscape.

Uprising, mills and crafts

The first written mention of Rudlice dates back to 1365. Another clear turning point came in 1821, when Rudlice was the centre of the last peasant uprising in the Bohemian lands. A hundred years later, residents honoured the memory of its leaders with a monument erected in 1921. Both the history of the uprising and its later commemoration are therefore specifically connected with Rudlice.

The area’s former industrial history is also part of its past: iron ore was mined near Rudlice. A smelting works stood at the site now known as Jelínkův mlýn – Šuškovec. The two references highlight different things: one concerns ore mining in the surrounding area, the other a smelting works at a specifically named location.

Another connection to milling is Šmídlův mlýn. Before it was reconstructed, the former mill was used as a water-powered smithy; waterwheels drove the forging hammers. Its former use is thus evident not only from the mill’s name but also from its recorded function as a smithy.

A round al secco painting adorns the south-east-facing gable of Šmídlův mlýn. It was painted on dry lime plaster, which has already partly flaked off, and depicts two smiths at an anvil. The painting also bears the date 1756. Rudlice’s bell tower complements these themes of milling and crafts as a significant historic example of folk architecture.

Valley, nature park and protected area

Rudlice lies within the “Přírodní park Jevišovka” Nature Park. The village is also situated beside a stream in a valley with woodland and fruit trees. These details give the landscape a specific setting without reducing it to a single attraction: the stream and valley stand alongside the historic traces as distinctive features of the village.

The nature theme also includes the Rudlické kopce protected area. Its landscape features grass- and herb-rich communities with steppe elements, and plant and animal species are protected there. The nature park and the protected area therefore offer different points of interest for visitors who do not wish to view Rudlice solely through its history.

Hiking and cycling around Rudlice

A yellow-marked hiking trail runs along the southern edge of Rudlice, providing a specific starting point for planning a walk. The cycling routes can be distinguished by their named itineraries: Cycle Route 481 runs from Znojmo via Přímětice, Hluboké Mašůvky, Plaveč, Rudlice, Vevčice and Černín to Jevišovice.

The “Malebným krajem do okolí Jevišovic” cycling tour also passes through Vevčice and Rudlice. While Cycle Route 481 lists a sequence of places between Znojmo and Jevišovice, this tour is identified by its own name and its passage through the two villages. When comparing the routes, you can therefore focus on their described itineraries rather than choosing solely because they both include Rudlice. Before setting off, check the current route description for “Malebným krajem do okolí Jevišovic”.

This gives you a simple way to choose the focus of your stay: the hiking trail offers a starting point on the southern edge of the village, while the cycling routes place Rudlice within regional itineraries. Those especially interested in history can explore several different themes, including the 1821 uprising, the mills and the bell tower; those who prefer to focus on nature and outdoor activities can plan around the details of the valley, protected area, and hiking and cycling routes.

Discover more destinations: Mašovice, Dyjákovičky, Pravice, Božice, Jaroslavice, Kravsko, Borotice, Suchohrdly

For the regional travel overview: Okres Znojmo.