Katovice: Otava, Church History and Kněží hora

On the right bank of the Otava in Katovice are the so-called Sejpy, the remains of gold panning. The area also has a layered church history, the archaeological heritage of Kněží hora, and paths for pedestrians and cyclists. Culture, nature and the river offer different points of interest for planning a trip.

Exploring the Otava

Along the Otava, riverside paths for pedestrians connect Strakonice and Sušice. Katovice also has a north–south route for pedestrians and cyclists. It crosses the Otava via a footbridge and connects to public services. For your planning, these are two different route options: one refers to riverside paths between two places, while the other is a north–south route with a river crossing in Katovice.

The Sejpy give the landscape on the right bank a historical connection to gold panning. Together with the riverside paths, they offer a distinct way to explore the Otava, while the footbridge crossing describes a connection within Katovice. When choosing your destination, you can therefore consider the riverside landscape and local history as separate topics.

Kněží hora: Nature and Archaeology

The Kněží hora Nature Reserve covers 13.51 hectares of thermophilous oak forest with preserved forest flora. In the 9th century, Kněží hora was also the site of an elliptical Slavic hillfort covering a total area of about 8 hectares. These figures refer to different descriptions: the nature reserve and the former hillfort site. The hillfort is designated as a protected archaeological feature; fortification ramparts with up to four visible tiers can be seen in places.

The Kněží hora educational trail focuses on history and nature and has five information panels. A route description published in 2021 leads from Husovo náměstí in Katovice to the Březový potok trail junction at the foot of Katovická hora in Horní Poříčí. Check the local signposting before setting out. As well as archaeological and natural history topics, this gives you specific waypoints for planning, without assuming a walking time or route length.

Church and Local History

The Church of St. Philip and St. James was originally an early Gothic building dating from the 13th century. It was altered in the 14th century and in 1580–1582, and given a Baroque style in 1761. An early Gothic portal survives on its south side. The building phases give the church a layered architectural history: early Gothic elements stand alongside later alterations and Baroque design.

Katovice’s stone pillory stands in the square between the church and the municipal office. Only the pillory itself is protected as a monument. The Chapel of St. John of Nepomuk is located by the bridge and is one of Katovice’s immovable cultural monuments. A communal grave for the victims of a death march in the cemetery is listed as cultural heritage. A memorial stone has stood in the town centre since 1972.

The original watermill building and the station’s reception building are also considered architecturally interesting. If you are interested in architecture, they provide further examples alongside the church and pillory, without implying that they are open to the public.

A church service schedule current as of August 2026 lists services at the church on Sundays at 8:30 a.m. and Tuesdays at 5:00 p.m. If you are planning to attend a service, check the times before your visit.

Events in Katovice

Katovické Vinohraní held its tenth edition in 2025. Visitors at the event could taste wines from the Helena, Suský and Turek wineries in Velké Pavlovice. Katovický Otesánek also took place: its ninth edition was held in 2023. These dates place the events in time and give you an idea of the different local themes associated with Katovice, alongside architecture, archaeology and walking routes.

Discover more destinations: Hájek U Bavorova, Drážov, Tchořovice, Hajany, Nišovice, Skočice, Kváskovice, Bílsko U Vodňan.

For the overview of the wider region: Strakonice District.