Velhartice – Castle, Nature Trail and Borek Nature Reserve

Velhartice combines an extraordinary castle complex with woodland landscapes, protected natural areas and small museums. Particularly impressive is the unique stone bridge at the castle: it connects the structural remains of the so-called Rajský Palace with the front tower. This makes the town a cultural destination that can be combined with a nature trail and experiences in nature.

Velhartice Castle and Its History

Velhartice Castle was founded at the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries and was probably built as the ancestral seat of the Lords of Velhartice. The “Gothic Castle” tour focuses on the history and architectural development of the castle from the 13th to the 16th century. Another historical feature concerns the Bohemian Crown Jewels: they were once hidden at the castle to prevent the coronation of Jiří of Poděbrady as king. There is also plenty to discover in the outer bailey area. The open-air museum of folk architecture consists of valuable folk-architecture buildings that were relocated here from the foothills of the Šumava region. Its tour has been officially open to visitors since 2009, initially as an outdoor tour. The open-air museum is freely accessible independently of the castle’s opening hours – a separate point of interest alongside a visit to the castle.

Woodland Landscape and Nature Trail

The Borek u Velhartic Nature Reserve protects a relict pine forest in the Pošumaví region. It is considered a remnant of the pine’s natural distribution. The protected area includes woodland on the right bank of the Ostružná on the northern and partly eastern slope of Bork, south of Velhartice. It lies at an altitude of 587 to 800 metres; Borek reaches 859.1 metres. The Velhartice Nature Trail begins at the car park below the castle. It then leads through the town, through the local forests and into the Borek Nature Reserve. This makes it possible to combine a visit to the castle with a route that brings together historical impressions and the landscape of the Pošumaví region, without having to plan a second destination area.

Further Discoveries in the Town

The cultural history of Velhartice also includes the Church of St Mary Magdalene cemetery church near Velhartice, which was founded in 1373. It is associated with the legend that inspired the subject of Karel Jaromír Erben’s ballad “Svatební košile”. The Jewish Cemetery in Velhartice is protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic. Fewer than 60 gravestones have survived; the most recent dates from 1934. The grounds are locked; you can borrow the key at Velhartice Castle. This access information is therefore part of the practical guidance for visiting the site. The Muzeum minerálů Velhartice offers a different perspective on the region. The small private museum displays a collection of stones from the Šumava and Pošumaví regions. It presents minerals from the Czech Republic and other parts of the world, complemented by stories about their places of discovery and interesting information for children and adults. Buses from Klatovy and Sušice travel directly to Velhartice. The bus stop is approximately 1 kilometre from the castle gate. For those arriving by car, free parking is available about 300 metres from Velhartice Castle; the route to the castle is accessible for people with disabilities.

Other linked places in this overview are Chlistov, Bilenice, Myslovice, Mokrosuky, Poleň, Vrhaveč, Sveradice and Pačejov.

For the higher-level travel overview: Klatovy District.