Modlanský Pond and the history of mining offer two distinct ways to explore Srbice: its landscape, with its recorded protected animal species, and the town’s industrial development. Other topics include older place names, a recreation area in Nové Srbice and local traditions. When planning, it is worth distinguishing historical topics from recreational opportunities, whose condition should be checked locally, and events, whose dates should be checked for the latest information.
Water Landscape and Nature
The artificial body of water formed by the Modlany Reservoir on Modlanský Brook is a significant landscape feature within the administrative area of Srbice. Modlanský Pond and its surroundings are also recorded as a habitat for specially protected animal species. These include the black-crowned night heron, great crested grebe, nightingale, corn bunting, common swift and sand lizard. The presence of individual species may change over time.
The two water features have different points of focus: Modlanský Pond is notable for its recorded species, while the Modlany Reservoir stands out for its artificial body of water and its significance as a landscape feature. Nature enthusiasts will therefore find specific topics here that differ from one another, even though both are part of the landscape of Srbice.
Local History and Mining
The first written record of Srbice dates from 1403. The older name Řeřevice also possibly points to the history of the area: it is associated with shallow coal seams, which could often ignite where they reached the surface. This interpretation remains a supposition.
The coal mines in Srbice employed around 600 miners in the first half of the 20th century. Road traffic and the nearby railway connection accelerated industrial and mining development. Mining is therefore a defining historical aspect of the town, alongside its older names and the history of its landscape.
The settlement that was originally undermined has disappeared; the place names Staré Srbice and Nové Srbice are still in use. These names also come up in connection with the recreation area in Nové Srbice. They refer to different aspects of the town’s history and present-day life.
Recreation and Local Traditions
Nové Srbice has an established recreation area offering opportunities for short daily breaks. Check its condition locally before planning a visit. The municipal recreation plan from October 2016 highlights designated cycle routes and purpose-built paths as components of recreational development in Srbice. These routes provide another starting point for planning; the recreation area and the routes are separate topics.
Local traditions may also be a reason to visit. The Srbice Volunteer Fire Brigade revived the tradition of raising a maypole on the village square by the chapel after several years. On 30 April 2019, the volunteer fire brigades from Srbice held a Witches’ Bonfire celebration for children from Srbice and the surrounding area. If a celebration is the reason for your trip, check the latest dates and programmes in advance.
Planning an Overnight Stay in Srbice
When looking for a holiday apartment in Srbice, it helps to decide first what you want to focus on during your stay: would you like to explore local and mining history, discover the landscape, or plan your visit around a local tradition? The first topics are rooted in history; for recreational opportunities and events, the local conditions and current dates respectively are what matter.
Discover more destinations: Nove Mesto V Krusnych Horach, Světec, Rtyně Nad Bílinou, Žim, Ledvice, Proboštov, Osek, Kostomlaty Pod Milešovkou.
View the broader travel overview: Okres Teplice.
