Kundratice

Kundratice is a small village belonging to the town of Hartmanice, tucked into the Šumava (Bohemian Forest) landscape of the Plzeň Region, roughly a kilometre southeast of central Hartmanice. The hamlet is best known for the modest chateau standing at its southern edge, wrapped in a landscape park, and for its quiet setting among Šumava hills, with the Radešovský stream running through it.

How do you get to Kundratice?

The easiest approach is on foot or by bike from Hartmanice, following a well-marked route – including a blue-marked trail named after Karel Klostermann, the Šumava region's best-known novelist. The distance from central Hartmanice is under two kilometres, so the walk takes about half an hour even with stops for photos. Regular buses connect Hartmanice to larger towns in the region, making Kundratice an easy destination without a car. Cyclists will find the surrounding lanes quiet and low-traffic, linking neatly into the wider Šumava trail network.

What is there to see?

The village's centrepiece is Kundratice chateau, a small aristocratic residence whose history traces back to 1360, though its current appearance dates from a 1840 remodelling credited to Baron František Karel Villani. That renovation added an Empire-style upper floor on top of the original Renaissance ground level. The building is a single-storey structure with a mansard roof, a prominent risalit projecting toward the garden façade, and a columned portico on the opposite side. The chateau has been protected as a cultural monument since 1964.

It's worth knowing before you go: the chateau is privately owned and closed to visitors inside. It is currently home to Eliška Hašek-Coolidge, the daughter of Czech emigrants who once worked at the White House; the Hašek family had owned the estate since before the communist era. While the interior stays off-limits, the village and the park surrounding the chateau can be freely explored from the outside, right along the marked hiking trail that passes nearby.

What is the history behind it?

The first written record of Kundratice dates to 1360. The village was an independent municipality between 1850 and 1949, then formed part of the Štěpanice municipality from 1950 to 1959, before being incorporated into Hartmanice in 1960. Over the centuries the local residence hosted notable guests – among them, historical accounts name President Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk and Edvard Beneš, underlining the estate's place in the region's history.

When is the best time to visit?

May through September is the most comfortable window, when Šumava's countryside is at its greenest and trails are dry and easy to walk. Autumn, especially October, brings striking colour to the woods around the village along with fewer crowds. Winter visits are possible too, though trails can be snow-covered, which some travellers actually consider part of the appeal – just pack suitable footwear.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside Kundratice chateau? No – it's a private residence and the interior is not open to the public. You can still view the building from the surrounding park grounds.

How far is Kundratice from Hartmanice? Less than two kilometres, an easy half-hour walk along the Klostermann trail.

Can you reach Kundratice without a car? Yes. Regular buses run to Hartmanice, and from there it's a short, pleasant walk or ride to the village.

Why is Kundratice worth a stop? It pairs an intimate chateau with roots going back to the 14th century with the calm, scenic character of a small Šumava village, making it a natural short detour from Hartmanice.