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UNESCO World Heritage Site – Holasovice

The Czech world heritage site of Holašovice is a quaint, quiet little village in southern Bohemia. It’s just waiting to be explored.


As you tour around the countries that were part of the Soviet Union, you will notice that there are two types of older buildings, completely dilapidated or beautifully reconstructed and renovated. There is no in-between. Holasovice was all but deserted thanks to a plague that wiped out its population in the 13th century. Then it was re-populated with Germans, who left prior to World War I. It remained deserted throughout most of the Soviet times, and then was reclaimed and restored to the beauty it is today.

Conveniently located between two fantastic Bohemian cities, České Budějovice and Český Krumlov, we visited Holasovice on a sunny fall morning. The leaves were just starting to turn yellow, and the whole village was peaceful and welcoming.

Stunning Baroque farmhouse with reflections in Holašovice.

Stunning Historic Farmhouses of Holasovice

Our first stop was one of the farmhouses. The owner had collected many farming antiques and stored them in the old cow barn, which he called a museum and charged 4 Koruna per person. Then he proceeded to give us a guided tour, in pretty good English, telling us about life on the farm.

Gorgeous yellow barn with terracotta tiled roof under a perfect blue sky in Holašovice.

The farmhouses sport gabled fronts. They are not timbered houses that you would find in many other parts of Europe, but purely made out of plaster. The gables, windows, and door arches are decorated with shapes or symbols and those borders or exterior moldings are painted in pastel colors.

Farm house with adjoining barns and an old wooden well in Holašovice.

One thing I love about these types of world heritage sites, town centers, villages, or larger areas in general, is it is mostly free. Holasovice would have been free, except for the enterprising farmer that opened his house to the public.

If you are traveling around the Czech Republic, take the time to stop by Holasovice.

What are some of your favorite parts of the Czech Republic?

Author Bio: Corinne Vail is a travel photographer, food lover, and a perpetual traveler who has been travel writing for over 14 years. For many years she lived overseas in Germany, Japan, Turkey, South Korea, and the Netherlands teaching the children of the US. military. She’s visited over 90 countries, and she’s not stopping anytime soon.

Frank

Monday 5th of May 2014

Pretty looking town!

Corinne Vail

Monday 5th of May 2014

Frank, It is..have you been there?

Mike

Tuesday 19th of November 2013

Wow, that is amazing that the houses go back that far, Corinne! And to have them looking so beautiful and pristine today. That would be a fun day trip! :)

Corinne Vail

Wednesday 20th of November 2013

Mike, I was blown away on the beauty of Holašovice, and we couldn't have asked for better weather. Thanks for your comment!

Erik

Friday 15th of November 2013

Enjoyed your post on Holašovice...and thanks for introducing me to this blog.

Corinne Vail

Saturday 16th of November 2013

Thanks to you Erik!

Mary {The World Is A Book}

Thursday 14th of November 2013

What a beautiful town and gorgeous architecture on those houses. I really wanted to go on a day trip to Český Krumlov this past summer from Prague but we opted for Sedlec and Kutna Hora instead. Pretty enterprising farmer you met up with :)

Corinne Vail

Friday 15th of November 2013

Yes Mary, he was. It was interesting that there were two Czech women on the walk through the museum, and everyone spoke English so he didn't have to say things twice. It's a great little town.