Malé Svatoňovice – Museum, Pilgrimage Church and Lookout Tower

Culture, Pilgrimage and Mining History

Malé Svatoňovice brings together literature, sacred buildings, historical traces and routes into the countryside within a compact area. Those wishing to combine different interests during their stay will find both specific cultural destinations and hiking and cycling experiences here. The Čapek Brothers Museum was founded in 1946 and gives the town a distinctive literary focus.

The pilgrimage Church of the Seven Sorrows of the Virgin Mary is part of the town’s religious and architectural history. The Baroque building dates from 1734 and was rebuilt between 1830 and 1831. In the Mariánský sad forest park, a Stations of the Cross route passes seven brick chapels of the Seven Sorrows of the Virgin Mary. Another stop is the Boží hrob Chapel, built between 1902 and 1905 and consecrated on April 8, 1906. This makes it possible to supplement a cultural tour of the town with various periods and forms of religious architecture.

The history of the former spa operation and mining is also reflected in the townscape. The former spa park, accessible from Karel Čapek Square, was established in 1830 and features a music pavilion and an auditorium. The portal of the Kateřina adit is the entrance to a former drainage gallery dating from the mid-19th century. It was used as a water source for the spa. Both places thus preserve historical functions that should not be equated with a present-day spa operation.

Hiking and Cycling with Clearly Defined Destinations

For an active day trip, the Žaltman lookout tower is an obvious destination. The tower is 25 metres high and has 122 steps. From Malé Svatoňovice, a blue- and then green-marked hiking trail leads there. The route is approximately 4 kilometres long and involves a significant change in elevation. The tower can be visited free of charge all year round and has no fixed opening hours.

Cyclists will also find several specifically designated options. Cycle Route 3 begins in Malé Svatoňovice and leads, with a more demanding climb, towards the Na Markoušovickém hřebeni lookout tower at an elevation of 708 metres. Cycle Route 4 forms a circuit via Havlovice, Rtyně v Podkrkonoší, Odolov, Jívka, Malé Svatoňovice and Úpice, returning to Havlovice. The two routes thus represent different types of rides: one with a demanding climb and one circuit through several towns.

Mining Heritage and Local Tradition

The Malé Svatoňovice area features a monument to hard-coal mining, a terrain display depicting coal transport on a cable incline, a model of a coal-processing plant and six information panels at sites associated with hard-coal mining. The municipality contains many other places connected with hard-coal mining. Mining began there in 1590 and ended in 1990. This time span makes mining history a distinct focus alongside the museum, pilgrimage church and countryside.

An additional attraction for hiking enthusiasts is the Krvavej Čepelka hiking march organised by KČT Malé Svatoňovice. In 2026, it reached its 50th edition and offered routes of 5, 10 and 20 kilometres. For further orientation in the area, Rtyne V Podkrkonosi, Libňatov, Rudník, Jivka, Slemeno, Trotina, Hertvikovice and Horní Marsov are also available.

A Destination with Several Travel Profiles

Malé Svatoňovice is suitable as a starting point for planning a trip that combines cultural history, religious architecture, historic mining traces, hiking and cycling. The specific route lengths, trail markings and itineraries help you choose between a programme in the town, a hike to Žaltman and a longer cycling circuit.

For the higher-level travel overview: Trutnov District.