A walk around the historic town of Dobřichovice on the banks of the Berounka river – 3 km

• Dobřichovice is a small town with a long history and a fine Renaissance chateau located on an attractive stretch of the Berounka river, just 35 minutes by train from Prague. It is also a good starting point for walks in the attractive hills and forests of the Hřebeny nature area (click on the Dobřichovice ‘Tag’ at the bottom of the page to review the walks). However, the 3km walk around town and partly on the cycle path along the Berounka is worth a trip in itself and can be supplemented with a visit to one of several good local refreshment spots. If desired, the walk can be extended by following the asphalt cycle path for a section eastwards towards Prague.
• The flood plain of the Berounka river, in the area around today’s town of Dobřichovice, has been occupied for over 4000 years. Stone Age and Bronze Age relics have been unearthed from the fertile ground surrounding the town and the neighboring village of Karlík. The site gained strategic importance in the first millennium when, it is believed, the town was founded by the Slavic family of Dobřich. A fortress was built to protect a ford over the Berounka.
• In the 13th century, the village of Dobřichovice, the fortress and surrounding land was given to the recently founded Order of Crusaders of the Red Star. This Military Order was created in the mid 13th century in connection with the foundation of a Prague hospital by St Agnes, daughter of the King of Bohemia Ottokar I. This was the only male Order ever to be founded by a woman, and the only Order founded in Bohemia.
• Over the centuries, the fortress on the Berounka was transformed several times. It was destroyed during the Hussite Wars of the 15th century, then rebuilt in a Renaissance style in the 16th century by Grand Master Hynek Berka of Dubé. In 1631, the castle was burnt by the Swedes during the 30 Years war, rebuilt and then destroyed by another fire in 1779. The final reconstruction to its current late Baroque form occurred in the late 18th century. Dobřichovice castle is still owned by the Order of Crusaders of the Red Star and is used for cultural events.
• There are various good options for refreshments in the town, including the excellent Panská Zahrada restaurant (in the new hotel complex just west of the chateau) , the Italian delicatessen/wine bar La Fontana (which serves good coffee and sandwiches) and the attractive Café Černý Dorty (on the 5 května street).

Note: click ‘Show on map’ above to go to a full screen version directly on the mapy.cz site. This can be used for online navigation, saved or exported as a GPX file

Directions

• Starting at the Dobřichovice railway station, follow the GREEN hiking trail in the direction of Karlík, crossing the Berounka on the new footbridge (the old one was destroyed in the 2002 floods) and following the cycle path to reach the chateau area after 1.5 km
• Note – if wanting a longer easy walk follow the asphalt cycle path eastwards – towards Prague and away from Dobřichovice – for a section. This path runs along the river for a further 3 km)
• After arriving at the chateau through the courtyard, past the Chapel of St. Jude Thaddeus to reach the Za Mlýnem street. The La Fontana wine bar is 50m to the left
• Return back along the 5 května street to the chateau area
• For the return to the train station, either follow the cycle path used on the outbound route, crossing the Berounka on the footbridge or alternatively cross the Berounka using the road bridge immediately next to the chateau and then immediately turn left to follow the footpath (sometimes very muddy) directly beside the river
• On reaching the footbridge follow the GREEN hiking trail back to the station