Volšovy

Volšovy is a small village on the Volšovka stream, now part of the town of Sušice in the Klatovy district of the Plzeň Region, Czech Republic. Although it is administratively just a part of Sušice, the village has its own centuries-long history and one of the more interesting monuments in the area - a former fortified manor later rebuilt into a Baroque chateau.

Where does Volšovy's history begin?

The first written record of Volšovy dates back to 1045, when the village belonged to the Benedictine monastery in Břevnov and remained monastery property for more than five hundred years. Only in 1543 did Břetislav Švihovský of Rýzmberk buy the estate from the monastery. It later passed to Adam Koc of Dobrše, whose son Dětleb Koc inherited the village in 1582. From 1769 Volšovy belonged to Count Jan Kryštof Dohalský, and from 1873 to the Chotek family - it was under Ferdinand and Josephine Chotek that the estate reached its peak, with renovations and new facades carried out in 1886.

The village itself changed administrative allegiance several times over the centuries: between 1850 and 1920 it was a hamlet of Maršovice municipality in Sušice district, between 1921 and 1949 a hamlet of Dolní Staňkov municipality, and between 1950 and 1959 an independent municipality in its own right. Since 1960 Volšovy has been part of the town of Sušice, in the Klatovy district.

What can you see in the village?

The centrepiece of Volšovy is a former Renaissance fortress, first documented in written sources from the 17th century, though the building itself is believed to date from the second half of the 16th century. In the last third of the 18th century, probably under Count Dohalský, the old fortress was rebuilt into a Baroque chateau. The chateau grounds also include the Chapel of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, created from a former farm building after 1880 and given its present form during a 1995 renovation. The whole complex has been protected as a cultural monument since 1964.

According to the 2001 census, only 10 people lived in Volšovy, across 6 houses - making it a very quiet spot despite sitting so close to Sušice.

What else is nearby?

The village lies a short distance from the centre of Sušice, close to the Svatobor lookout tower and the Capuchin monastery in Sušice. Within roughly 8 kilometres are two well-known Šumava castles, Kašperk and Velhartice, making Volšovy a convenient base for exploring this part of the Bohemian Forest region.

Who is Volšovy for?

Volšovy appeals mainly to visitors interested in history and architecture who prefer lesser-known stops over the main Šumava tourist routes. It also works well as a stop for anyone cycling or hiking the trails around Sušice - a small village with a chateau and chapel that can be explored at a relaxed pace, without crowds.

Frequently asked questions

When was Volšovy first mentioned in written records? The earliest written record dates from 1045, when the village belonged to the Benedictine monastery in Břevnov.

Who owned Volšovy through history? The Břevnov monastery held the village until 1543, after which it passed through the Švihovský family, the Koc family, Count Dohalský (from 1769) and the Chotek family (from 1873).

What is the monument in the centre of the village? It is a former Renaissance fortress rebuilt in the last third of the 18th century into a Baroque chateau, with a complex that also includes the 19th/20th-century Chapel of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The whole site has been a protected cultural monument since 1964.

How many people live in Volšovy? The 2001 census recorded just 10 residents in 6 houses, making it one of the smallest settlements around Sušice.

Since when has Volšovy been part of Sušice? The village has been part of the town of Sušice since 1960; before that, from 1950 to 1959, it was an independent municipality.