Velešín – Culture, Trails and Outdoor Pool

Velešín combines vivid cultural history with short and longer discoveries in the surrounding area. Here you will find a preserved black kitchen, historic church interiors, traces of the horse-drawn railway, an educational trail and an easy circular route. In addition, there is its location on a plateau between two river valleys and an outdoor pool with a large children’s area.

Cultural history with unusual details

At Kantůrkovec, you can see a preserved black kitchen with a smoke hood. The permanent exhibition “Malovaný svět” by the naïve artists and married couple Šítalovi is also located there. The two attractions have different focuses: while the kitchen offers a concrete insight into a historic living and working environment, the exhibition is devoted to naïve art.

In the surroundings of Velešín, Velešín Castle was built as a royal castle toward the end of the first third of the 13th century and abandoned in 1487. The former Church of St. Philip and James was consecrated in 1491; a tower was added to it in 1631. It houses an information centre, the town museum, a gallery and Café Jakub. The historic building is thus also connected with information, exhibitions and a café, without having to experience the site solely through its medieval history.

Another cultural-historical excursion leads to nearby Holkov. Two stone bridges, a former coach house and a former changing station of the horse-drawn railway have been preserved there. The traditional Velešín pilgrimage takes place on the first Sunday in September and offers a programme for children and adults. If your stay falls during this period, a recurring local event can therefore also be part of your possible travel experience.

Plateau, river valleys and southern views

Velešín lies on a plateau between two river valleys. The Malše lies directly below the town, while many views open up to the south. This landscape gives your stay a clear spatial orientation: on one side is the elevated location, and on the other the river flowing below the town. When choosing accommodation, you can therefore consider whether you mainly want to use the town itself as a starting point for culture and walks or explore the landscape south of Velešín further.

Water activities for a relaxing part of the day

Velešín outdoor pool has a multipurpose pool with a 250 m² children’s area. The pool water is heated to 24–27 °C, and there is also the “Trio Slide” water slide. This means that a stay in Velešín can be planned around more than just museums, churches and historical traces. The outdoor pool complements the cultural attractions with an opportunity for water activities and exercise.

Trails for short walks and longer discoveries

The “Naučná stezka Velešínsko” educational trail is 5.5 km long and includes six stations with information boards. Those looking for a more compact route can choose the “Procházka historickým Velešínem” walk: the easy circular route is 2 km long and is intended for walkers, cyclists and families with children. In addition, the “Po stopách koněspřežní železnice okolím města Velešína” route leads through the area around Velešín. This gives you a choice of a signposted educational trail, a short historical circular route and a route connected with the horse-drawn railway.

For further orientation, you can also view Sirnin, Lippen, Unterhaid, Neudorf B. Berlau, Meinetschlag, Zwickau, Kienberg and Gojau.

To the higher-level travel overview: Okres Český Krumlov.