Bratřice brings together the landscape around Stražiště, trails, water and a rich local history. The village lies below the 744-metre hill, which the municipality describes as a dominant feature of the entire region. Forests, paved cycle paths and Černý rybník offer different ways to enjoy your stay. The village chapel, pilgrimage tradition and traces of historic crafts add to the natural experience.
Forest trails, cycle paths and Stražiště
The forests around Bratřice have hiking trails, while paved paths are suitable for cycling. If you want to spend time outdoors, you can consider these options separately: forest trails provide the setting for a walk, while paved paths are suited to a cycling trip. Check the local availability of hiking trails and the conditions before making plans.
The route information for Stražiště also answers different questions. The Sovova educational trail runs from Pacov via Bratřice and Stražiště Mountain to Lukavec. This is distinct from the route “Sovovou stezkou na vrch Stražiště”: a 5 km access route leads from Bratřice to the destination at Stražiště. One description names a sequence of places, while the other gives the length of an access route. Route details and trail conditions can change, so check the current route before setting out.
Water and seasonal activities
Černý rybník is a natural spot near Bratřice. Springs nearby help keep the water clear for a long time, although water conditions can change with the seasons. The water is a little cool, but the pond invites visitors to swim for much of the summer. Swimming in the pond is therefore explicitly a seasonal option, not a year-round description of the place.
There is also a swimming pool in Bratřice. Its current operating status can vary, so check in advance whether it will be open during your stay. When planning, distinguish this from the seasonal swimming option at Černý rybník: one is a swimming pool with changing opening status, while the other is a body of water described as suitable for swimming during the summer.
Chapels, pilgrimage and local history
The Kaplička is a square village chapel dating from the first half of the 19th century. It stands in the centre of Bratřice’s village square, in a park-like setting, and is listed as an immovable cultural monument. There is also a chapel dedicated to Saint John the Baptist on Stražiště, likewise built in the first half of the 19th century. Two distinct chapel sites are thus central to the village’s history: the village chapel on the square and the chapel on the hill.
Pilgrimages to the spring beneath Stražiště, Studánka sv. Jana Křtitele, take place on the last Sunday in June. The water from the spring was considered to have healing properties. If you plan to include the pilgrimage in your trip, check the specific arrangements for that year in advance. The first written mention of Bratřice dates from 1273. Later historical insights can be found in the former Jarolímka glassworks near the settlement of Cetule, which operated for more than 40 years, and at Provaznictví in Bratřice No. 51: the property includes a small rural farmstead from the early 20th century with an attached rope-making workshop. Together, these details show different aspects of local history—from the earliest written mention and chapels to crafts and former businesses.
Discover more destinations: Starý Smrdov, Rovná U Hořepníku, Žirov, Dehtáře, Hribeci, Vysoká Lhota, Útěchovice Pod Stražištěm, Putimov.
For the broader travel overview: Pelhřimov District.
