Šťáhlavy, Plzeň-City dist., Plzeň Region

The ‘František Xaver Franc Archaeological Nature Trail’

(prehistoric and Medieval monuments)

Entrance to the Lopata Castle.

Entrance to the Lopata Castle.

Photo Z. Kačerová, 2014.

The ‘František Xaver Franc Archaeological Nature Trail’ commemorates the prominent 19th-century amateur archaeologist. The trail runs through ‘Kozel’ forest, the site of a remarkable range of preserved prehistoric and medieval relics. The local landscape was preserved so well because it has been covered by a forest since the 15th century. Visitors pass through an Eneolithic hilltop settlement and a Bronze and Iron Age barrow cemetery. Next to these, medieval features such as hollow ways, ponds, fields, a gold panning site, a deserted village, a fortified manor and a castle with a siege camp may be seen, as well as some remnants of Early Modern forest crafts.

References: Franc 1906; Anderle 1996; Šmejda 2003; Novobilský 2008; Metlička 2010; www_Šťáhlavy.

Navigation points: N 49°39'49.91", E 13°33'23.41" (‘Lopata‘ castle); N 49°39'58.69", E 13°33 29.73" (Medieval siege camp); N 49°40'13.39", E 13°33'07.84" (deserted Medieval village ‘Dolní Nestajov‘); N 49°39'59.45", E 13°32'49.05" (barrow cemetery ‘Hájek‘).

Map notes: A – medieval goldwashing spoil heaps; B – siege camp at ‘Lopata’ Castle; C – attack zone of siege camp at ‘Lopata’ Castle; D – dam of a defunct pond; E – original ford across the Hádecký Stream, the meeting point of several hollow ways; F – millrace; 1–6 – information panels. Map symbols are available in the Downloads section.