Sacred history, signposted trails and medieval architectural heritage shape the character of Kirchschlag. In Světlík and Pasovary, these themes can be seen in specific buildings, route layouts and events.
Culture and history
The Church of Saint James the Greater in Světlík has been documented since 1258. It was burned down in 1423 and restored in the mid-15th century. An extension followed in 1663, before the church was demolished and rebuilt in 1872. Only the lower part of the tower remains from the original building. The church complex also includes a two-storey rectory dating from the 18th century.
Near the rectory stands the rendered, masonry niche chapel of Saint John of Nepomuk, dating from the mid-18th century. On the road to Frymburk stands the Boží muka wayside shrine from 1665. The shrine at the cemetery in Světlík bears carved depictions of the Christogram IHS and the Arma Christi with a cross and nails, as well as the presumed initials of the donor and the year 1665. The wayside cross, or Boží muka shrine, stands slightly offset beside the steps leading to the cemetery and displays recognisable late Gothic forms.
A stone fountain stands in the village square of Světlík. It was allegedly hidden underground for 80 years; today, water flows through it again.
The Way of St James and cycle routes
The South Bohemian Way of St James is marked in the countryside with scallop-shell symbols and leads to the Church of Saint James in Světlík. The section from Světlík to Frymburk is 11 kilometres long.
Světlík is also a hub for numerous cycle routes. The cycling tour “Po méně známých místech Českokrumlovska” follows a cycle path uphill along a stream to Světlík. From there, an approximately 6-kilometre walk leads there and back to the ruins of Pasovary Fortress.
On the journey from Český Krumlov to Vítkův Hrádek, road II/162 continues from Větřní via Světlík in the direction of Frymburk.
Pasovary Fortress
The ruins of the 14th-century Gothic Pasovary Fortress, protected as a historic monument since 1958, are located in Pasovary near Světlík, on the site of the vanished village of Pasovary, in the hilly landscape of Pošumaví and approximately 15 kilometres south-west of Český Krumlov. Preserved elements include a two-storey prismatic tower, stone window and door surrounds, corbels, and the cellars of the Gothic and Renaissance palaces.
Pasovarské tvrzení is a charity event with music held annually on the second Saturday in August. The event features live music and a guided tour about the history of Pasovary; voluntary contributions can be made towards the restoration of the fortress. Horse rides through the surrounding countryside are available from Pasovary by prior arrangement.
Other places in the region
For further orientation in the region, here are direct links to the individual places: Neudorf B. Berlau, Vyšný, Goldenkron, Kienberg, Unterhaid, Hohenfurth, Podesdorf, Ceske Chalupy.
