Skašov: Toymaking Tradition and Village History

A stay in Skašov centers on its cultural and historical heritage: toy-making and the historic village center. In the southern part of the village, the center is arranged around a small rectangular village square with a chapel in the middle. An unusual ensemble of traditional granaries adds to the village’s character, and Skašovský les is nearby. The themes therefore range from craftsmanship and settlement patterns to the surrounding landscape. If you choose your destination for its history and local character, Skašov offers several distinct perspectives.

Toymaking and its history

Toymaking in Skašov has a tradition dating back around 200 years. It experienced its greatest boom around the turn of the 20th century. In the mid-20th century, 52 families in Skašov made toys. These milestones give the village’s history a longer perspective: the boom around 1900 was a particularly dynamic phase within a much older tradition, while the number of families shows that toymaking still played a tangible role in the mid-20th century. This makes it possible to distinguish the tradition’s longevity, its heyday, and the involvement of local families.

Past and present products can be seen at the Skašovská hračka (Skašov Toys) exhibition. This brings the products themselves into focus alongside the history of the craft. If you are planning a visit, please check the current opening hours in advance.

Chapel and historic village center

Skašov’s historic village center lies in the southern part of the village and is arranged around a small rectangular village square with a chapel in the middle. The chapel was built in 1882, is a cultural monument, and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary of the Snows. The village layout, architectural history, and religious dedication come together here. The square and chapel offer a different way to explore the village’s history than toymaking: the focus shifts to the layout of the village and a single building with its own architectural and religious history.

Granaries and rural architecture

Skašov also has an unusual ensemble of traditional granaries. Granaries represent agricultural storage and complement the chapel, a religious building, with a functional building type. Together, these different structures point to distinct roles in rural life: religious use and the storage of grain. The ensemble broadens the view of the built heritage beyond the village square and chapel.

Forest and historic leisure

Skašovský les is close to Skašov and adds a landscape dimension to the village’s historical attractions. Leisure is also part of the village’s history: the first swimming pool in Skašov opened in 1937. This opening marks a distinct chapter alongside the area’s craft heritage and architectural history.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Kasejovice, Vlčí, Přeštice, Drahkov, Ždírec, Oplot, Štěnovice, Nepomuk

For the broader travel overview: Plzeň-Jih.