Podlesí: St. Barbara’s Chapel and Glassmaking History

If you’re looking for a hotel in Podlesí, you can take the area’s history into account when choosing your destination. This small settlement offers tangible cultural connections through its former glassworks, St. Barbara’s Chapel and historic trails; memorial trees add natural features to the mix.

Settlement, Name and Landscape

The small settlement of Vogelsang has existed since the Middle Ages and has been called Podlesí since 1947; however, this name was never in widespread use. Vogelsang and Podlesí therefore refer to the same settlement in different historical contexts. The year 1947 marks the later naming, not the beginning of the settlement’s history. Podlesí lies on the slope of the Huťské hory above the Losenice Valley. A former farmstead forms the core of the settlement. The hillside location and the farmstead core provide two different spatial reference points: the landscape setting and the center of the settlement.

Glassworks and Archaeological Significance

The Podlesí glassworks is first mentioned by name in 1580 and operated intermittently until the 1890s. The dates refer to different aspects: 1580 is the first record by name, while operations continued intermittently until the 1890s. The glassworks therefore did not operate continuously. The abandoned glassworks and the settlement of Podlesí form a Category UAN I archaeological area, considered a significant archaeological site.

St. Barbara’s Chapel

St. Barbara’s Chapel was built under glassmaker Florián Gerl around the turn of the 18th century. It is located in the northern part of the former farmstead, which forms the core of the small settlement. The chapel is freely accessible; check the current access conditions before your visit. For travelers interested in cultural history, the chapel connects its construction period with the name of a glassmaker and its location in the historic farmstead core.

Historic Trails Around Vogelsang

The Golden Path led from Losenice to what later became Vogelsang, where it climbed toward Zhůří along branching routes. On walks around Vogelsang, you may come across several sections of the original Golden Path and the Golden Road from Kašperské Hory. The Golden Path thus connects historic routes with opportunities for walks; the Golden Road from Kašperské Hory is another trail to explore.

Memorial Trees Near Podlesí

A striking large-leaved lime tree stands below the path near Podlesí. When measured in 2019, it was more than 30 meters tall and had a trunk circumference of almost seven meters; its measurements may change over time. Another group of memorial lime trees grows near Podlesí, close to a water reservoir, in two rows. The memorial trees near Podlesí, also known as Vogelsang, belong to Šumava National Park. The individual lime tree stands out for its height and trunk circumference, while the group is notable for its arrangement in two rows.

For the broader travel overview: Kašperské Hory.