chapel of John of Nepomuk in Třebotovice

The Chapel of St. John of Nepomuk in Třebotovice stands at the northwestern edge of the village of Třebotovice, which has officially been part of České Budějovice since 1985, forming part of the České Budějovice 5 city district. Třebotovice itself lies roughly 8 km east of the city centre, and this small neo-Romanesque chapel is one of the few historic landmarks left in a village that has largely been overtaken by modern housing.

Where exactly is the chapel?

The chapel sits alongside the buildings at the northwestern end of the former village, next to a historicizing school building. Its approximate coordinates are 48.958°N, 14.557°E, which makes it easy to plan a short walking or cycling route from the centre of České Budějovice — the distance is short enough for a single afternoon outing.

What does the chapel look like and where does it come from?

The chapel was built between 1862 and 1863 in the neo-Romanesque style, a common choice at the time for small village chapels funded by local communities. Dedications to St. John of Nepomuk — patron saint of bridges, confessors and protection against floods — were extremely common in 19th-century Bohemia, particularly in places connected to watercourses and ponds, and Třebotovice fits that pattern well.

Why is the village itself worth a look too?

Třebotovice is more than just a backdrop for the chapel. The settlement, first recorded in 1378 under the name Třebotova Hora, belonged at that time to the Hluboká nad Vltavou castle estate, remaining part of it until 1850, when it became an independent municipality. Its layout is unusual for a medieval settlement: farmsteads cluster around a small ravine with ponds, a pattern that architectural historians consider a notable example of planned high-medieval settlement. Two masonry farmhouses with stone gateways (numbered 2422 and 2427) still survive today, standing out among the surrounding buildings, most of which have been altered without much regard for their original character.

How many people live here, and how has the village changed?

Census records show a gradual population increase: 224 residents in 1843, 321 by 1900, and 333 inhabitants across 114 houses according to 2021 data. The population dropped sharply after the Thirty Years' War, but the settlement recovered over time and maintained continuous habitation right up until its incorporation into the city in 1985.

How should you plan a visit?

Since Třebotovice is now part of České Budějovice, getting there is straightforward — a short ride by public transport or car from the city centre. It's worth combining a visit to the chapel with a brief walk around the village to see the distinctive cluster of farmsteads around the ravine and ponds, along with the surviving stone gateways at the old farmhouses. The chapel itself is a modest structure, but combined with the settlement's history and unusual layout, it makes for an interesting stop for anyone curious about the region's local history.

Frequently asked questions

Is Třebotovice a separate village or part of České Budějovice? Since 1985 it has formally been part of České Budějovice (as part of the České Budějovice 5 city district), though it still retains the character of a former independent village.

When was the chapel built? It was built between 1862 and 1863 in the neo-Romanesque style.

What else is worth seeing besides the chapel? The unusual arrangement of farmsteads around a ravine with ponds, and two masonry farmhouses with stone gateways (nos. 2422 and 2427).

How do you get there from the centre of České Budějovice? Třebotovice lies about 8 km east of the city centre — a drive or public transport ride of around fifteen minutes.