Strážiště: Village Traditions and Cultural Heritage

Seasonal events, historical landmarks and the landscape around Kozmice offer different points of interest. You can plan your stay around a specific occasion or your interest in culture and nature.

Traditions Through the Seasons

Jarní vánek, a traditional dance event, takes place every year in Strážiště. At the end of November, a traditional lantern procession with balloons being released is one of the recurring customs. In early December, the lighting of the Christmas tree in the village square traditionally marks the start of Advent. This makes late November and early December two distinct periods for Advent-related customs. If you would like to plan your trip around one of these customs, check the specific event date in advance.

History in Different Places

Historically, Strážiště was one of the 112 serf villages belonging to the Cistercian monastery of Hradiště. The chapel in the village square was reconstructed in 2000 in cooperation with the heritage authorities. The Boží muka wayside shrine ensemble in the Na Březinkách fields was restored in 2002. In Kozmice, there is a stone statue of the crucified Christ between two angels, dating from 1830. Finds have also been made in the upper part of the Zábrtky valley, northwest of Strážiště.

The dates refer to different objects and interventions: 1830 is the date of the statue, 2000 the chapel reconstruction and 2002 the restoration of the wayside shrine ensemble. The village’s historical ties to the monastery belong to a different period than these individual architectural and artistic landmarks. The locations also differ: the chapel and Christmas tree are in the village square, the wayside shrine ensemble is at Na Březinkách and the statue is in Kozmice.

Landscape and Hiking

The Strážiště district of Kozmice lies on a plateau between the valleys of the Zábrdka and Mohelka streams. A blue-marked hiking trail also runs near Strážiště. These details may appeal to different interests: the plateau describes Kozmice’s location, while the hiking trail is a separate option for walking in the area. If hiking is part of your plans, check the trail markings on site before deciding on your route.

The Former Pytlíkovský Mill

The ruins of the former Pytlíkovský Mill lie in the Zábrdka valley, about two kilometres from Strážiště. At the former site, collapsed walls of the building and engine room, stairs and traces of the millrace remain; the ruins are overgrown. The mill ruins are not an accessible public attraction. The similar-sounding names Zábrtky and Zábrdka refer to different locations: finds were made in the upper part of the Zábrtky valley northwest of Strážiště, while the mill ruins lie in the Zábrdka valley.

Discover more destinations: Krásná Ves, Bezno, Ledce U Mladé Boleslavi, Branzez, Dobrovice, Pětikozly, Neveklovice, Košátky.

For the broader travel overview: Mladá Boleslav District.