Kalenice: Hvížďalka Fortress and Cycling Routes

Kalenice combines an unusually vivid local history with cycling routes that run directly through the village. At the center is Hvížďalka Fortress: its construction history extends from its Gothic origins through its Renaissance reconstruction to preserved fortification remains. This historical picture is complemented by the chapel dedicated to Saint Francis on the village square. This creates a destination where culture and active exploration can be combined in a manageable way.

Hvížďalka Fortress in the castle park

Hvížďalka Fortress has been preserved in today’s castle park in Kalenice as a single-storey building with a rectangular floor plan and a hipped gable roof. The medieval core was rebuilt during the Renaissance; around 1530, the fortress was captured and burned down. Among the listed monuments in Kalenice is the originally Gothic fortress at house no. 50, together with its rampart.

Its defensive character is particularly evident in the late Gothic tower fortress. It has a barrel-vaulted cellar and a ground floor and was surrounded by a moat with a rampart, as well as an outer moat. These fortification remains have been preserved on the eastern, southern, and western sides. The various architectural features make Hvížďalka a place where historical development can be understood not only through dates, but also from the site itself.

Visits by prior arrangement

Upon request, pre-arranged visits to the immediate surroundings of Hvížďalka Fortress, the Gothic cellar, and part of the gradually reconstructed interior are possible on weekends from April to September. In exceptional cases, other months or weekdays may also be arranged by prior agreement. A visit is therefore subject to a specific arrangement and can be deliberately incorporated into your plans.

Village history and cycling

The village square also contributes to the historical orientation. The Chapel of Saint Francis was built in 1832 on the site of an older wooden church. Kalenice itself is first mentioned in 1045 in a deed of donation issued by Duke Břetislav I to Břevnov Monastery. Thus, the documented view of the village extends far beyond the history of the fortress.

Two cycling routes of different lengths are available for active exploration. The 10.1 km “Za Kladrubským drakem” route runs through Kalenice. The 12.8 km “Krajem rybníků” route also passes through the village. The two stated route lengths provide clear guidance when choosing a suitable cycling trip.

On the “Za dávných časů a jejich časoměření” cycling route, the first stop when coming from Horažďovice is in Kalenice, at the local fortress. In this way, local history and the route come together at a specific point.

Discover more places in the surrounding area

For further orientation, you can also explore Úlehle, Třešovice, Dřešín, Paračov, Stozice, Krašlovice, Malenice Nad Volynkou and Lom as well.

To the higher-level travel overview: Strakonice District.