Discover Kaliště U Horních Dubenek

Kaliště U Horních Dubenek between nature and history

Those who choose Kaliště U Horních Dubenek as a travel destination will find unusual connections between rural history, religious culture and observable nature in the local landscape. This character is particularly evident in Býkovec: the village lies beside a stream in a mountain hollow on the Studená–Batelov road. At the same time, the chapel, former mill and historical land use point to a past that cannot be reduced to a single type of attraction.

Traces of cultural history in Býkovec

A specific cultural landmark is the chapel in Býkovec. It is dedicated to the Virgin Mary under the patronage of “Mediatrix of All Graces.” It was built from 21 September to 30 November 2009; the final building inspection took place on 9 December 2010. Around 250 people attended the consecration, accompanied musically by students and teachers from ZUŠ Jihlava. The chapel thus also represents a more recent chapter in the village’s history.

The origins of Býkovec are traced back to a fortress built by a nobleman and associated with a manor farm. The former lordly mill also tells of changing uses: later, it was equipped for the spinning mill of the Tomáš Novotný company with a fulling mill. The historical landholding of Býkovec comprised 188 hectares, including 77 hectares of fields, 31 hectares of meadows, 23 hectares of pastures, 44 hectares of forests and 5 hectares of ponds. This division makes the former connection between agriculture, pastureland, forests and bodies of water concrete.

Local traditions also include an Easter custom in which men, young men and boys go from house to house in a large group. Another documented event was the Carnival procession on 14 February 2026, which made its way through Býkovec with 65 imaginatively designed masks. Both examples show different aspects of the village year: the recurring custom and an event clearly fixed in time.

Bird park and paths through the landscape

For nature observation, the developing Jihlávka Bird Park is particularly interesting. It lies between Jihlávka, Horní Dubenky, Kaliště and Býkovec, stretching from Bor Pond to Býkovecký rybník. The park also includes the regionally significant Rašeliniště Kaliště nature reserve. In Jihlávka Bird Park, common snipe, lapwing and stonechat can be observed. At its southernmost point, “u křížku,” the park can be viewed easily from the roadside.

The area therefore offers a clearly recognizable choice between exploring cultural history and quiet nature observation, without requiring the two themes to be considered separately. Those who would also like to undertake a longer horseback route can consider the 92-kilometre, green-marked Litohošť–Sosnový les riding trail. It passes through Býkovec and runs across fields and grass tracks.

Transport connections and regional destinations

The nearest bus stops are Kaliště and Býkovec. Other places for regional orientation include Doupě, Brzkov, Zbilidy, Telc, Jihlávka, Žatec Na Moravě, Střítež and Hybrálec.

For the broader travel overview: Okres Jihlava.