Brezi: Wetlands, Village Culture and Cycling

Brezi combines protected wetlands, a distinctive village history and a designated cycling route. Particularly impressive is the combination of bodies of water, fields and forests in the western landscape around Březí. These are complemented by a Baroque chapel on the village square, historic crosses and an exceptional lime tree.

Wetlands and amphibians around Březí

The Rybník Vočert a Lazy nature monument is a protected wetland system consisting of two ponds and a shallow water basin. The fire-bellied toad is frequently found there, while other amphibians also inhabit this environment. Rybník Vočert a Lazy also includes the cadastral area of Březí u Blatné and is one of the most important habitats of the fire-bellied toad in the Czech Republic. The name therefore refers to a specific natural area in which ponds and shallow waters shape the landscape.

The Újezdec Nature Reserve extends across the cadastral areas of Březí u Blatné and Újezdec u Bělčic. It protects pond communities and preserved adjacent habitats with specially protected animal species, as well as significant stands of aquatic macrophytes, meaning larger aquatic plants. The characteristic bodies of water include Újezdec – Planinský rybník and Kozor. Together, they form a cascade of two small ponds in a shallow depression, with rich amphibian populations, and are also considered an important habitat of the fire-bellied toad in the Czech Republic.

The western part of the landscape around Březí presents a different picture: bodies of water, fields and forests alternate in a mosaic pattern. These different landscape elements give the surroundings their own character and make Březí a destination for travellers who want to combine a nature-oriented stay with a rural setting when choosing their accommodation.

Village Square, Chapel and Historic Landmarks

A Baroque chapel dating from 1836 stands on the village square in Březí. Since 1997, it has been dedicated to the Virgin Mary and Saint Anthony. A stone cross erected in 1908 also stands on the village square. Next to this cross is a monument to the victims of the First World War.

The protected Divadelní lípa in the courtyard of the inn at house no. 33 in Březí is also part of the local history. The lime tree is 18 metres tall and has a trunk circumference of 675 centimetres. Two further crosses complete the picture of the surrounding area: on the hill towards Hvožďany stands a cross dating from 1860; another cross from 1907 stands on the eastern edge of the village. A local resident had it erected as a sign of repentance.

Cycling Route and Further Places to Consider

Březí lies on marked Blatensko cycling circuit no. 4. There is also an inn in Březí. If you would like to compare other places, you can find Strunkovice Nad Volyňkou, Paračov, Zahorčice, Čichtice, Předmíř, Cerneves, Prední Zborovice and Cestice here.

For the overarching travel overview: Strakonice District.