A short walk around Rožmitál pod Třemšínem, gateway to the Brdy highlands: 4 km

• Rožmitál pod Třemšínem is an attractive small town situated on the southern edge of the Brdy highlands, some 80 km southwest of Prague. Rožmitál is an excellent starting point for walks into the Brdy hills, but the town is worth a visit in its own right, to explore the interesting history of some of characters associated with the place, as well the scenic path around its large pond, situated next to the picturesque (but somewhat dilapidated) part Gothic castle, part Renaissance chateau.
• Two important medieval figures were born at the Gothic castle (which was later given a Renaissance face-lift) : Johanna of Rožmitál, Queen of Bohemia (the second wife of king Jiří of Poděbrady) and Johanna’s elder brother, Jaroslav Lev, who in 1465 led the famous 14 month diplomatic expedition ‘from Bohemia to the end of the world’.
• Neither of these two aristocratic figures (who played an important role in portraying Bohemia as a center of religious tolerance in the second half of the 15th century) are as celebrated locally as the figure of Jakub Jan Ryba, the popular composer of songs and choral pieces, including the well known Czech Christmas mass. Ryba came to teach in Rožmitál in 1788 and stayed there until 1815 when, suffering from an illness, he took his own life in the forests above the town.
• In addition to the old town and chateau area, Rožmitál has a large scenic fishpond, on the far side of which lies the old village of Starý Rožmitál, with its famous Baroque church (built on the foundations of a 13th century Gothic chapel) housing the 18th century organ on which Ryba composed his most popular works. A popular lime -tree avenue, lined with lime trees, runs beside the pond from the chateau to Starý Rožmitál.
• The suggested walk runs from the bus station on the edge of town (where there is also a car park), through the old town, past the chateau and along the lime avenue to the church in Starý Rožmitál. The return journey retraces the lime avenue, but then takes the path beside the pond passing a popular restaurant (the New Romance) which has a terrace overlooking the lake.
• The whole route of around 4 km is on paths suitable for strollers and is essentially flat. In addition to the New Romance restaurant there are a couple pubs in the center of town (usually only open at lunchtimes) and a nice coffee and cake shop (Kačenčiny Dobroty), just off the main square. In addition, there is a popular ice cream window, serving home made Točená zmrzlina at the north end of the square.

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Directions

• Various bus connections are available to Rožmitál pod Třemšínem including from Plzeň and Příbram. There is also a large parking area next to the bus station
• From the trail junction at the bus station, take the RED trail in the direction of Voltuš
• The trail passes through the old town, past the chateau and joins with the GREEN trail near the large pond after approximately 1 km
• Continue on the GREEN trail along the tree lined (pedestrian) avenue, with the pond on the right side
• After 1 km reach the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Starý Rožmitál village
• Return back the same route, but stay on the GREEN trail as it follows the edge of the pond to return directly to the bus station
• On the left side, 300m before reaching the bus station, is the New Romance restaurant