Hlinsko in Bohemia: Folk Architecture, Trails and Traditions

Hlinsko combines preserved folk architecture, regional history and short routes into a diverse landscape. Particularly characteristic is Betlém Hlinsko: the preserved quarter lies in the town centre on the right bank of the Chrudimka and presents the region’s folk architecture in a specific urban setting.

Folk Architecture and Town History

The Betlém Hlinsko heritage conservation reserve comprises 24 buildings, 16 of which are cultural monuments. In several buildings, you can enter with a guided tour and visit exhibitions about the lives of small-scale craftsmen. The craft workshops include a weaving workshop where the production of textiles, especially the famous Hlinecké žinylky, is preserved. In this way, a historic quarter offers a vivid insight into the working world of the past.

The Městské muzeum is housed in a former Jewish synagogue and was founded in 1874 as the fourth rural museum. Its permanent exhibition covers the history of Hlinsko, the school system, associations, clothing, textiles and traditional crafts. The exhibition also includes a fully functional orchestrion.

Traditions and Notable Buildings

The Baroque Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary was built between 1730 and 1745. Its bell dates from 1520 and the baptismal font from 1628. The village Masopust processions and masks in the Hlinecko area are also part of the region’s cultural profile; in 2010, they were added to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The Tvrz is considered the oldest building in Hlinsko and stands next to Ježdíkův dům in the lower left part of Poděbradovo náměstí.

Trails between Protected Areas and Ponds

Hlinsko and its region lie at the transition between the Žďárské vrchy and Železné hory protected landscape areas. The Lázeňská stezka leads from the centre towards Studnice and back via Svatojánské Lázně. For a shorter outing, the 2-kilometre Pohádková stezka is an option: it begins at the cross-country skiing area in Rataje and takes 45 minutes on foot. The route is also suitable for children, families with pushchairs, people with disabilities and senior citizens, and leads to the Ratajské rybníky, which have been protected as a natural monument since 1990.

Active and Family-Friendly Discoveries

The Skiareál Hlinsko has three ski runs: a 250-metre blue run, a 450-metre red run with a road overpass, and a 250-metre black run. The Koupací biotop has a swimming area and a purification area, beaches and a large lawn; the facility was created by converting an old swimming pool. The Vzdělávací centrum Planeta Hlinsko offers an entertaining insight into processes and phenomena that take place on Earth.

Hlinsko as a Base

The Pardubice–Havlíčkův Brod railway line, in operation since 1871, runs through Hlinsko. The town is also located on State Road 1/34, which connects Polička and Havlíčkův Brod and is linked to the D1 motorway. Anyone looking for accommodation in Hlinsko can thus incorporate local culture and routes through the surrounding landscape into their travel planning.

More Destinations for Your Research

For further travel planning, you can also compare Peralec, Zájezdec, Svratouch, Bítovany, Bojanov, Jenišovice U Chrudimi, Dvakačovice and Chroustovice.

For the higher-level travel overview: Okres Chrudim.