Velhartice: Hotels and Accommodations

At Velhartice Castle, a globally unique stone bridge connects the structural remains of the so-called Rajský Palace with the front tower.

History

Velhartice Castle was founded at the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries and was probably built as the ancestral seat of the Lords of Velhartice. The Bohemian Crown Jewels were once hidden at the castle in an attempt to prevent the coronation of Jiří of Poděbrady as king. The “Gothic Castle” tour covers the history and architectural development of the castle from the 13th to the 16th century.

Culture

The Cemetery Church of St. Mary Magdalene near Velhartice was founded in 1373. It is associated with the legend that inspired the subject matter of Karel Jaromír Erben’s ballad “The Wedding Shirts.” The Jewish Cemetery in Velhartice is protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic. Fewer than 60 gravestones have survived; the most recent dates from 1934.

The open-air museum of folk architecture is located in the castle’s outer bailey. It consists of valuable folk-architecture buildings that were relocated here from the Pošumaví foothills. The tour has been officially open to visitors since 2009, initially as an exterior-only tour.

The Muzeum minerálů Velhartice is a small private museum with a collection of stones from the Šumava and Pošumaví regions. It presents minerals from the Czech Republic and other parts of the world. The museum also shares stories about the places where the minerals were found and interesting facts for children and adults.

Nature

The Borek u Velhartic Nature Reserve protects a relict pine forest in Pošumaví as a remnant of the pine’s natural range. It encompasses forest stands on the right bank of the Ostružná River on the northern and partly eastern slopes of Borek, south of Velhartice. The area lies at elevations of 587 to 800 meters, while Borek reaches 859.1 meters.

The Velhartice educational trail begins at the parking lot below the castle. It leads through the village, then through the local forests and the Borek Nature Reserve.

Practical Information

Buses from Klatovy and Sušice run directly to Velhartice; the stop is about 1 kilometer from the castle gate. A free parking lot is located about 300 meters from Velhartice Castle; the route to the castle is accessible for people with disabilities.

The open-air museum of folk architecture is freely accessible regardless of the castle’s opening hours. The grounds of the Jewish Cemetery in Velhartice are locked; the key can be borrowed at Velhartice Castle.

Other places: Kochanov, Mysliv, Ujčín, Hnacov, Zelezná Ruda, Kolinec, Chudenice, Lesisov.

To the higher-level travel overview: Klatovy District.