Discover Chlístovice

Chlístovice between the Vrchlice, Hussite history and Sion

Chlístovice combines landscape and history within a small area. The “Cestou husitských hejtmanů” nature trail leads through a natural environment along the Vrchlice stream and follows the history of the Hussite military commanders. This means that the historical focus is not separated from the landscape: the route passes through an environment in which the Vrchlice provides the geographical context and the history is conveyed along a specific trail. For visitors who would like to combine their stay with a walk and cultural discoveries, this offers a particular appeal.

The nature trail as an introduction to local history

The nature trail has 15 information panels. They accompany visitors as they learn about the Hussite military commanders and provide individual points of interest along the way. In addition, it includes five rest areas. These can be taken into account as break points when planning your visit, without limiting the historical content of the trail to a single attraction. This creates a visit in which landscape, movement and history come together in the same experience.

Sion and the history of Roháč

Sion adds a second historical focus. Sion became Roháč’s residence and the administrative centre of a domain that included Chlístovice, Chroustkov, Všesoky, Miletice and Újezd. The ruins of Sion Castle consist of a two-part complex. The outer bailey was fortified by substantial ditches and ramparts. One of the most significant parts of Sion is an artillery bastion approximately 3 m high, described as the oldest known artillery bastion in Europe. The ruins therefore offer an opportunity to consider political history and military architecture alongside the structural traces of a medieval complex.

St. Andrew’s Church on the hill

Another historical perspective is offered by the preserved Church of St. Andrew. It probably has a late Gothic core and, together with its cemetery, stands alone on a hill above the Vrchlice stream on the outskirts of Chlístovice. Its location clearly distinguishes it from the route of the nature trail and the ruins of Sion: here, a single sacred site is the focus. The church houses a historic bell from 1509 made by Kutná Hora bell founder Ondřej Ptáček, as well as a new bell cast in 2023 in memory of Josef Strnad, who came from Chlístovice and was executed by the Nazis in 1943. The two bells thus represent different periods that become visible and audible together at this site.

Plan your church visit in advance

The Church of St. Andrew is not permanently accessible for individual visits. To arrange a visit, please contact the information centre at St. Barbara’s Church. Access to the Church of St. Andrew was intended for regular services and cultural events; guided tours for groups and individual visitors were possible by prior arrangement. Anyone wishing to include the nature trail, Sion and the church in their travel plans should distinguish between these different forms of access. The historical sites therefore do not offer a uniform type of visit: the nature trail is equipped with information panels and rest areas, while access to the church is subject to specific conditions.

Discover more places

For your further travel planning, you can also explore Hostovlice, Třebonín, Rataje Nad Sázavou-Malovidy, Chotusice, Tupadly, Kluky, Šebestěnice and Černíny-Krasoňovice.

To the overarching travel overview: Kutná Hora District.