Zbraslav

Zbraslav combines notable cultural monuments with special places on Havlín Hill, a historic castle park and the Camino de Santiago. This creates more than just a standard sightseeing itinerary for planning your trip: you can choose between castle history, art, pilgrimage traditions and walks around Havlín to shape your visit around different interests.

Havlín: Viewing Pavilion, Monument and Art

Havlín Hill is an archaeological monument and also an important place to explore in Zbraslav. Karlův stánek, a brick viewing pavilion, stands on the hill. Several paths lead conveniently to Havlín directly from Zbraslavské náměstí. This makes it possible to explore the site on its own, rather than viewing it merely as a backdrop to a visit to the castle.

Havlín is also home to the Church of St. Gallus with a former ossuary. In December 2021, the glass altar Skleněný oltář, a work by artist Vladimíra Tesařová, was installed there. The altar can be viewed from outside through a barred window during the cemetery’s opening hours. This particular way of viewing it is part of the specific visitor conditions on site and distinguishes the artwork from an freely accessible interior space.

Zbraslav Castle and the Surviving Park

Zbraslav Castle was originally a Cistercian monastery founded by King Václav II in 1292. In 1995, the castle was declared a national cultural monument. The castle’s interiors are currently not open to the public. When choosing accommodation or planning a day of your stay, it is therefore important to distinguish between the castle’s historical significance and the currently limited access to its interior.

The castle park offers a different way to experience the complex. A promenade terrace above a side channel of the Berounka has been preserved, while other sections of the park were designed in the English style. The castle park also contains a collection of sculptures belonging to the Národní galerie. Thus, landscaping and an art collection stand side by side in the park, while the preserved terrace makes the connection with the water visible.

Zbraslav on the Camino de Santiago

Pilgrims will also find a clear point of reference in Zbraslav: the Camino de Santiago follows the Vltava River to Zbraslav and passes through the town, stopping at the local Church of St. James the Greater. The Zbraslav parish is happy to provide pilgrims heading to Compostela with a church stamp. Anyone wishing to include this cultural and religious aspect can combine their stay with a section of the Camino de Santiago and a specific stop at the church.

Architectural History at Husův sbor

Another historical trace leads to Husův sbor. The building was created in 1938–1939 by converting a former manorial granary according to a design by architect Stanislav Vachata. Its 30-metre-high tower is crowned by an octagon with a symbolic chalice and defines the architectural appearance of the building.

Husův sbor also houses a portable Renaissance altar. It was originally created for the monastery Church of St. James in Zbraslav. Together with the castle, Havlín and the glass altar, this place shows how different periods and religious connections converge within a compact thematic area in Zbraslav.

Other Places for Comparison

If you would like to compare Zbraslav with other destinations in the same selection, you can find Motol, Prague 12, Dolni Chabry, Dolni Pocernice, Lipence, Podolí, Prague 4 and Cakovice here.

For the higher-level travel overview: Prague.