Otov: Hotels and accommodation

Otov combines a history dating back to 1239 with visible traces of former mining and a geologically distinctive landscape. This connection is particularly clearly illustrated by the educational trail “Těžba živců na Poběžovicku”, which links the area’s natural features with its mining history.

Culture and history

The first written mention of Otov dates from 1239. Among the notable historical features is the late Gothic wayside shrine in the village: Otov is one of only four places in the Domažlice area where such shrines have survived to this day. The history of gold is also connected with the surrounding area. Gold was panned in the Černý potok near Otov during the Middle Ages and probably even earlier; two indentations in a stone in Otov were used for gold amalgamation.

A mill belonging to Otov has been documented in writing since 1657, but it was demolished in the 1980s. The remains of adits at Červený vrch and Větrný vrch (Fučná), which have survived from this former period of use in the vicinity of Otov, continue to serve as reminders of feldspar mining.

Landscape and geology

Červený vrch is a natural monument protecting a former feldspar mine and, at the same time, an important documentation site for the pegmatites of the Poběžovice area. The geological site lies approximately 100 metres southeast of Otov, covers 1.16 hectares and contains abandoned open-pit workings, spoil heaps and pits from pegmatite mining.

The mountains Škarmanka, Čerchov, Spálený vrch and Železný vrch are also located in the vicinity of Otov. Thus, the village’s landscape context extends beyond the immediately preserved traces of mining into the surrounding uplands.

Educational trail and mining history

The educational trail “Těžba živců na Poběžovicku” consists of two circular routes with a total of 14 stations. It covers natural features as well as former mining activities. The “Otovský lom” station focuses on the reclamation and revitalisation of the landscape.

At the “Důl Otov Fučná” station, the focus is on the mineralogy of pegmatites, the processing and use of the raw material, and bats. In this way, one location addresses both the geological foundations of feldspar mining and its traces and the further development of the landscape.

Other places in the same district

Other places in the same district include Pobezovice, Tlumačov, Mnichov, Zahorany, Únějovice, Úsilov, Bezděkovské Předměstí and Štichov.

For the main travel overview: Domažlice District.