Krsy: Cultural History and Landscape

Krsy brings together several distinct traces of its history and landscape. The Church of St. Lawrence, the Krsy Meridian, and the remains of the settlement of Umíř span medieval and later architecture, astronomical heritage, and a place that has now disappeared. Polínský vrch is also part of the municipality’s landscape. It is a prominent feature; the area contains evidence of prehistoric settlement and a former basalt quarry. These themes offer travelers interested in cultural history several specific points of interest.

Church and Late Baroque Rectory

The Church of St. Lawrence in Krsy is originally Gothic and dates from the early 14th century. It was later remodeled in the Baroque and Neoclassical styles. Its architectural history thus combines Gothic origins with changes from later periods. The church also contains late Gothic statues of St. Anne and St. Blaise, dating from around 1500. The statues add a distinct historical note: they belong to late Gothic art, while the church building itself originated in the early 14th century.

Opposite the church stands the former rectory, a protected Late Baroque building from the second half of the 18th century. Its location opposite the church and its own date make it another part of Krsy’s architectural history. For an accurate chronology, it is worth considering the dates separately: the church dates back to the Gothic period and was remodeled later; the rectory dates from the second half of the 18th century. This keeps the distinction between the two buildings clear, as well as their spatial relationship.

Astronomical Heritage and Polínský vrch

The Krsy Meridian is an astronomical heritage site consisting of two parallel stone blocks. One bears the carved year 1874, while the other has the inscription “MERIDIUM.” The two features are clearly distinct: a year is carved into one stone, and an inscription appears on the other. Together with the arrangement of the two parallel blocks, these features give the object its distinctive form and offer a historical perspective different from that of the church and rectory.

Polínský vrch lies within the cadastral area of the municipality of Krsy and is a prominent feature of the municipal landscape. The area around the hill contains evidence of prehistoric settlement, as well as a former basalt quarry. It is important to describe this carefully as evidence: this distinguishes the traces that have been passed down from a definitive claim about a complete settlement history. The landscape’s significance, the archaeological evidence, and the former quarry are different aspects of the same area.

Umíř: Traces of a Lost Settlement

Umíř is a former settlement in the municipality of Krsy, located in the Manětínská hornatina Nature Park. Five wells, several cellars, and a chapel remain there. The chapel is the last surviving building of the settlement, which has since disappeared. The different traces are important to understanding the site: the wells and cellars are surviving architectural remains, while the chapel has a special status as the last building left in Umíř. Together, they point to a settlement whose other buildings no longer exist.

Views, Traditions, and Activities

There is a viewpoint on the south side of the Krsy environmental center. From there, you can see the village square, the Church of St. Lawrence, and the picturesque landscape on the horizon. The view thus brings together three distinct features: the village square, the prominent church, and the surrounding landscape.

The traditional Masopust is among the local customs in Krsy. The municipality of Krsy and the Krsy Volunteer Fire Brigade invite visitors to take part. An event was planned for February 2026; dates vary. So if you want to plan your trip around a particular date, check the announcement for the relevant year.

Activities at Polínský vrch include climbing and camping. If you plan to take part in either activity, check the local rules beforehand.

Discover more destinations: Nekmíř, Tatiná, Horní Bříza, Zbůch, Hvozd, Nadryby, Zihle, Kbelany

For the broader travel overview: Plzeň-Sever District.