Tři Trubky

Tři Trubky is a former hunting lodge of the Colloredo-Mansfeld princes, tucked into the Brdy forests about three kilometers southeast of Strašice, in the Rokycany district of the Czech Republic. It stands exactly where the Třítrubecký stream meets the Padrťský stream — downstream of that point the combined waters become the Klabava river. Administratively the site belongs to the cadastral territory of Strašice and lies within the Brdy Protected Landscape Area.

Who built the lodge, and why?

The building went up between 1888 and 1890 for Prince Jeroným Colloredo-Mansfeld of Dobříš, who owned the surrounding forests along with the Dobříš and Zbiroh estates. The design came from Camillo Sita, a Vienna-based architect of Italian origin, who gave the lodge the character of late Romantic architecture. From the start it served as a hunting retreat inside the princely game reserves.

Which notable guests stayed here?

In the early 1930s the lodge hosted President Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, and in 1938 President Edvard Beneš visited to observe artillery exercises on the neighboring military training ground. During the German occupation, Field Marshal Walther von Brauchitsch lived here from 1942 to 1945 in the role of "chief huntsman." After 1948 the building continued to serve military and government purposes, remaining property of the Ministry of Defense.

What survives on the grounds today?

In 2014 the lodge, together with the adjoining land, a reservoir and a small hydroelectric plant, was declared a cultural monument. The power plant stands just above the point where the Třítrubecký stream flows into the Klabava, next to the blue-marked trail from Strašice. Nearby grows a roughly 160-year-old Douglas fir, said to be among the largest of its kind in the country. The origin of the name "Tři Trubky" (Three Pipes/Horns) is disputed — some accounts trace it to three wooden pipes that once carried spring water, others to hunting horn signals.

What does the lodge look like after its reconstruction?

Following a thorough renovation, the building officially reopened on September 3, 2024. It now offers 11 beds across five rooms, with a kitchen and a shared living area. Only overnight guests are allowed to drive up to the lodge; everyone else reaches it on foot or by bike along a paved forest road closed to through traffic.

What can visitors see at the House of Nature Brdy?

The former farm outbuildings next to the lodge now house Dům přírody Brdy (House of Nature Brdy), a visitor center that opened in 2023 and is run by the municipality of Strašice. Its exhibition is split into three parts covering the natural environment of the Brdy mountains, the civilian and military history of the region, and local legends together with the lodge's famous visitors. Displays include video projections, augmented reality elements, a simulated sunrise and sunset, recorded birdsong, and a fountain in the courtyard. The grounds also include a children's playground and a small woodland chapel.

When is the center open?

From April to September it is open daily except Mondays, 9:00 to 17:00, with a midday break from 12:00 to 13:00. In winter it opens Wednesdays 13:00 to 16:00, and weekends 10:00 to 11:00 and 13:00 to 16:00. Visitors can explore independently or join guided programs, including sessions for school groups.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is Tři Trubky located? About three kilometers southeast of Strašice, in the Rokycany district, within the Brdy Protected Landscape Area, at the point where the Třítrubecký stream meets the Padrťský stream.

Who built the lodge and when? It was built between 1888 and 1890 for Prince Jeroným Colloredo-Mansfeld, designed by the Vienna-based architect Camillo Sita.

Which famous guests stayed there? Presidents Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk and Edvard Beneš, and during the occupation, Field Marshal Walther von Brauchitsch.

Can you stay overnight at the lodge? Yes — after reconstruction completed in September 2024, it offers 11 beds in five rooms; only overnight guests may drive to the building.

What is inside the House of Nature Brdy? An interactive exhibition on the nature and history of the Brdy region, with video projections and augmented reality, plus a playground and a woodland chapel on the grounds.