Kašperské Hory: Culture and Nature in the Šumava Region
Accommodation in Kašperské Hory
Kašperské Hory combines an impressive cultural history with the natural features of Šumava. This creates a destination where Late Gothic art, churches, gold processing, historic routes, and the landscapes of the national park and protected landscape area each provide a distinct focus.
Culture, Churches and the History of Gold
The Šumava Museum displays a collection of Late Gothic sculptures from around the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries. A permanent natural history exhibition also focuses on zoology, botany, geology, and nature conservation. Artistic and natural history themes therefore stand independently alongside one another.
The historical exhibition also includes evidence of gold mining and gold processing in the Šumava region. The historic facility for processing gold ore in Kašperské Hory was established based on the finds around the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries. Gold ore was roasted there and could then be transported to crushing facilities and gold mills. The sequence from discovery through roasting to further processing illustrates the individual steps of the gold economy at that time.
The Church of St. Margaret is a three-nave Gothic basilica. It was built in the mid-14th century and has a Baroque interior from the 18th century. The Church of St. Nicholas provides a different historical accent: it is located 1.5 km from the town centre and contains Early Gothic frescoes as well as a painted beamed ceiling dating from 1700. At a distance of 1.5 km from the town centre, the Church of St. Nicholas is a separate sightseeing point outside the centre. The religious buildings thus highlight different historical periods: Gothic architecture and Baroque interior design stand alongside Early Gothic frescoes and the painted ceiling from 1700.
A smaller, craft-oriented detail is the cabinet nativity scene of Kašperské Hory. Local woodcarvers carved and painted it by hand; it is displayed year-round in the town hall exhibition room. The local history of transport is also part of the townscape: the Kašperskohorská branch of the Golden Trail was its youngest branch. It was established in the mid-14th century on the orders of Emperor Charles IV and led from Kašperské Hory via Kvilda and Freyung to Passau. The Czech section of the historic Golden Trail is equipped with information boards.
Knowledge of Nature and the Šumava Landscape
The Kašperské Hory Information Centre introduces visitors to nature in Šumava National Park and the Šumava Protected Landscape Area. Its permanent exhibition focuses on water in the Šumava landscape. It covers bogs, wetlands, glacial lakes, and watercourses, as well as their importance for water retention in the landscape. The exhibition thus connects specific landscape features with an ecological topic.
During the summer season, the information centre organises mainly excursions focusing on botany and birdwatching. This allows you to choose between historical highlights and natural history topics when planning your visit, without learning about the landscape's special features solely through its place names. The summer season establishes a clear timeframe for botany and birdwatching, while the other nature topics are addressed independently in the permanent exhibition.
Discover More Places
If you would like to continue your research beyond Kašperské Hory, Podlesi is another place to use for orientation.
For the overview of the wider travel area: Klatovy District.
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