Discover Klatovy: Culture, History and Walking Routes

Klatovy: Culture, History and Routes with Their Own Character

Klatovy combines impressive evidence of the town’s history with museums, special collections and opportunities for walks. The cultural attractions range from the catacombs beneath the Jesuit church to the glass pavilion with its exceptional collection. There is also a circular route through Klatovy, viewpoints in Lesopark Hůrka and a folklore festival that adds a distinctive touch each year. When choosing a hotel in Klatovy, it is therefore worth considering first whether the focus should be more on history and culture or on walks and active days.

Catacombs, the Jesuit Church and the History of Klatovy

The catacombs of Klatovy lie beneath the Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary and Saint Ignatius and the Jesuit grammar school. They were built between 1656 and 1676 as a burial place for members of the Jesuit order and their benefactors. A visit is therefore directly connected with the religious and architectural history of the town.

The Jesuit Church itself is also a distinct historical focal point. Its construction began in 1656; Dominik Orsi and Carlo Lurago were the architects. At the Vlastivědné muzeum Dr. Hostaše, the permanent exhibition “History of the Klatovy Region” adds to this view of the region’s past. Those interested in local developments will find a different perspective there than in the underground catacombs.

Glass Pavilion and the Carnation-Growing Tradition

The Klatovy Glass Pavilion is located in the gardens next to the Vlastivědné muzeum Dr. Hostaše. It houses more than 500 exhibits and is considered the largest publicly accessible collection of products from the Lötz glassworks in Europe. The pavilion thus places a clear emphasis on design and the history of glass. Another special feature of the town is its connection with the tradition of growing carnations, which has existed since the 19th century.

Folklore as a Recurring Town Experience

The International Folklore Festival in Klatovy takes place every year on the second weekend of July and features around 20 folk performances. The programme also includes a craft market and a pilgrimage market. Admission to the entire event is free. Those who plan their trip around this date will experience, alongside the permanent cultural attractions, an additional event focus featuring crafts, music and regional traditions.

Walks, Views and a Challenging Educational Trail

Lesopark Hůrka offers various opportunities for walks and sporting activities. The viewpoint behind St. Martin’s Church and the lookout tower built in place of St. Anne’s Chapel offer beautiful views over part of the Bohemian Forest. The forest park is suitable for walking, relaxing and sporting activities.

An educational trail along the Černá věž leads past Klatovy’s most prominent monument. It is steep, includes many stairs and involves a considerable difference in elevation. Six stations provide information about the history of Klatovy’s best-known monument. Those travelling with children of different ages can take the demanding nature of this route into account when planning their day; it is not a level walking path.

The Klatovský vycházkový okruh offers a more flexible option. The circular route is 12 km long, but it can also be walked in sections. It can also be started at any point. This means that the length of the walk can be individually adapted to the particular day without having to complete the entire circular route.

Discover More Destinations

You can also discover Mezihoří, Dešenice, Bukovník, Dlažov, Černíkov, Horská Kvilda, Domoraz and Hnacov as additional travel destinations.

To the higher-level travel overview: Klatovy District.