Kněžice can be explored through two distinct themes: the history of its religious buildings and a protected beech forest. Other highlights include the settlement’s earliest written mention, the Bike Maraton Kněžice, held for many years, and the Chaloupky demonstration garden, which offers different ways to visit.

Early History and Architecture

The first written mention of Kněžice dates back to 1222. In the wider Stonařovsko, Jihlavsko and Brtnicko area, this is considered the earliest written mention of a settlement. The date refers to Kněžice; the designation as the earliest mention applies to the wider area.

The Church of St. James the Greater also takes us back to the early history of architecture. It probably dates from the 13th century. Its oldest Romanesque section was built by the same workshop as the Basilica of St. Procopius in Třebíč. The two statements emphasize different points: the church’s dating is probable, while the connection to the workshop concerns the oldest Romanesque section. For an architectural comparison, you can look from the church in Kněžice to the basilica in Třebíč.

The Chapel of St. John of Nepomuk and Its Furnishings

The Chapel of St. John of Nepomuk is a small late Baroque religious building with a square floor plan and a polygonal southern end. In the first quarter of 2024, it was declared a cultural monument, including its movable furnishings. The building and its furnishings are therefore both included in the monument’s protected scope.

A life-size Baroque wooden statue of St. John of Nepomuk is considered a valuable example of contemporary craftsmanship. It was probably created around 1723 by an artist whose identity is now unknown. The statue and the chapel’s designation as a monument represent different periods: the figure was probably made in the early 18th century, while the designation took place in the first quarter of 2024. Both the statue’s exact date of creation and the artist’s name remain unknown.

U Trojáku Nature Reserve

The U Trojáku Nature Reserve lies within the cadastral area of Kněžice u Třebíče and protects an old beech forest growing in a site of fresh fir-beech forests. This brings a specific forest habitat into focus. Unlike the church and chapel, the focus here is not on architectural form or furnishings, but on the type of forest and its protection.

Cycling and the Demonstration Garden

The CykloKlub Kněžice has organized the Bike Maraton Kněžice for many years. For cycling enthusiasts, this long-running event adds a local event context to the historical and landscape-related themes. Dates and the event name may change, so check the organizer’s latest information before your trip.

At the Chaloupky demonstration garden, you can choose between a free self-guided visit and a guided tour with commentary. Tours are available by prior arrangement; the fee is also agreed upon in advance. If you would like a guided tour, arrange the date and cost ahead of time. The two ways of visiting therefore differ both in whether an arrangement is required and in the fee.

Discover more destinations: Suchá, Mysliboř, Rozseč, Čížov, Dolni Smrcne, Zadní Vydří, Třeštice, Vápovice.

View the broader travel overview: Jihlava District.