Brňany lies in the Elbe lowlands on the left bank of the Ohře. Its listed castle complex, chapel and river landscape give the place several distinct points of interest. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Brňany, you can first consider whether architectural and local history or the connection with the river is more important to your stay.
Castle Complex and Local History
Brňany Castle is a cultural monument. The listed castle complex includes a granary, barns, stables, livestock sheds, a former garden and an orchard; a perimeter wall encloses the various parts. The protected status therefore applies to an ensemble that includes utility buildings and garden areas as well as the castle.
The first mention of Brňany dates to 1057: the village is named in the founding charter of the Litoměřice chapter. In 1226, Brňany became the property of Doksany Monastery. In 1436, it passed into the possession of the town of Litoměřice; in 1551, Doksany Monastery bought it back. The monastery’s two periods of ownership were thus separated by a period of municipal ownership. This sequence shows a clear change between monastery and town ownership, without combining the individual historical stages into a single period.
The Chapel: Architecture and Services
The Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows and Saint John of Nepomuk in Brňany dates from 1723. It is a small square building with a semicircular apse and a polygonal bell turret. It was remodelled in the Neo-Gothic style in the 19th century. Its building history can thus be traced through two dates: construction in the early 18th century was followed by the Neo-Gothic remodelling. The turret adds a further polygonal form to the square main building and semicircular apse.
Services led by Premonstratensians from Doksany are held in the chapel on the first Saturday of each month. As the service schedule may change, check the date before your visit.
The Ohře, Oxbow Lakes and Landscape
Two oxbow lakes of the Ohře lie within the cadastral area of Brňany: one towards Bohušovice and the other towards Brozany. The village’s connection with the river therefore includes these two distinct landscape features as well as the left bank. The main course of the Ohře and the two oxbow lakes are distinct parts of Brňany’s river landscape.
The soil also shapes the surrounding area: the fertile soils around Brňany provide the basis for intensive agriculture, particularly the cultivation of cereals and vegetables. The river landscape and agricultural land use are two distinct aspects of the area around the village.
Fishing, Cycling and the Surrounding Area
The Ohře and its tributaries offer opportunities for fishing in Brňany. Rules and access conditions may change; check them in advance if you are planning a fishing trip. A path along the Ohře is increasingly used by cyclists because of its beautiful natural surroundings and offers another point of interest for anyone interested in the river landscape.
The important Terezín Memorial is also located near Brňany. It is a distinct regional point of interest alongside the local buildings and the history of Brňany. This makes it possible to distinguish the historical sights in the village from another historical destination in the surrounding area.
Discover more destinations: Vrutice, Horní Beřkovice, Hlinná, Travčice, Chudoslavice, Vědlice, Levín, Chotiněves
For the broader travel overview: Litoměřice District.
