Jakubov U Moravských Budějovic brings together three distinct travel interests: an annual straw tradition, protected cultural monuments and historical connections to ponds and buildings. For planning purposes, the timing is especially helpful: the hay nativity scenes belong to Advent, while other topics look at the origins of a tradition or earlier uses of places and buildings.
Straw Tradition and Advent
The local straw tradition includes the annual creation of life-size hay nativity scenes during Advent. Fairytale-like straw figures are also put up every year; the individual figures change. The first “Slamáky” straw figures were created by a group of local enthusiasts in September 2005 on international road I/38. These are two distinct features: the nativity scenes are expressly life-size and associated with Advent, while the individual straw figures change from year to year.
Church, Monument and Local History
East of Jakubov U Moravských Budějovic, the Late Romanesque Church of St James the Greater, also known as St James the Elder, stands on a hill. Its dedication and architectural style offer two distinct points of reference: the name identifies the church’s patron saint, while “Late Romanesque” places the architecture in a particular period. The church, its stairs and the surrounding enclosure are protected. On the opposite side of the road from the former inn stands the statue of St Tekla, also a protected cultural monument. The construction of the inn was connected with the establishment of the route between Prague and Vienna via Jihlava and Znojmo. The church and the statue of St Tekla are two separate religious landmarks; the inn adds a historical connection to transport.
Mill, Castle and Structural Changes
The Jakubovský mlýn has preserved only part of its original structure. It was converted into workshops for an agricultural cooperative, particularly in the mid-20th century. Jakubov Castle is first mentioned by name in 1354; its former grounds are now entirely built over with detached houses. The mill and the castle illustrate different aspects of local history: the mill’s story concerns its surviving structure and conversion, while the castle’s concerns its first named mention and the present state of its former grounds.
Ponds and Historical Recreational Use
The Vidlák and Oráč ponds lie northeast of the village. Vidlák was already one of the four ponds belonging to the town of Jakubov in the Middle Ages. The “Plovárna Národní jednoty” was established at Vidlák Pond in 1931; the site later became known as the Jakubovská Riviera. Swimming courses were held at the Jakubovská Riviera. Here, Vidlák links the history of the landscape with that of recreation: its medieval place among Jakubov’s ponds is complemented by the later Riviera and swimming courses.
A Timeline
For planning purposes, these historical references are not all of the same kind: Advent is the recurring season for the hay nativity scenes; September 2005 marks the origins of the “Slamáky” straw figures, and 1354 the castle’s first named mention. The mill’s conversion, in turn, dates to the mid-20th century. These represent a seasonal custom, the beginning of a tradition and two milestones in local history.
Discover more destinations: Valdíkov, Breznik, Radkovice U Hrotovic, Smrk, Šebkovice, Náměšť Nad Oslavou, Lhánice, Valeč
For the wider travel overview: Okres Třebíč.
