Branžež

Branžež is a municipality in Okres Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic. It is located in the Bohemian Paradise and is one of the largest and most famous tourist centers of the nature reserve.

Geography

The municipality is located in one of the three specially protected zones of the Bohemian Paradise, between the towns of Kněžmost, Mnichovo Hradiště, Zdar and the castle Kost The distance to Mnichovo Hradiště is 6 kilometers. The municipal area flows through the small river Kněžmostka, which is east of the village on the 54 -acre pond Komárovský dammed fishpond. The municipality comprises the three settlements Branžež, Nová Ves and Zakopaná.

History

Branžež was first mentioned in 1338. There was one small local landlords. Known by name owners are Marek and Mojek z Kamenice ( 1338 ), Petr z Branžeže ( 1401 ) and Jan Hovado z Hrádku ( 1457 ). In the 16th century the place of dominion Solec was attached and got away with it in the possession of the Lords of Valečov. Until the 20th century Branžež remained part of this rule.

Originally there were in the town three large fish ponds. They were abandoned and in the middle of the 20th century was only the largest of them, Komárovský rybnik dammed again. From the 1930s the place to become the tourism center began. Today, on the shore of the pond several campsites and holiday home settlements.

Attractions

• Komárovský fishpond is a shallow pond with a sandy bottom and sandy beaches, which is used for swimming, fishing and water sports. The water quality is variable. In the years 2006 and 2007 temporary bathing bans were issued because of increased incidence of blue-green algae.
• Just north of settlements begins the protected area of the rock city Příhrazské rocks.
• There are several castles and castle ruins in the area. Kost Castle is situated about 5 kilometers to the east, rock castle Valečov about 2 kilometers west of the village Branžež.