Discover Jihlávka: Springs, Bogs and Village History

Spring Landscapes, Bird Park and Rare Wetlands

Jihlávka lies in the southwestern foothills of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands, on the historic border between Bohemia and Moravia. The Jihlava River rises here, and around the village, spring landscapes, bogs, wet meadows and village cultural history come together. Those who want to combine nature experiences with small discoveries and traces of history during their stay will find several different reasons for an excursion in and around Jihlávka.

Nature Between the Spring Area and Wet Meadows

The source of the Jihlava is located about one kilometre west of Jihlávka. From the road between Jihlávka and Počátky, a signposted farm track branches off northwards after a bend. The approximately 500-metre section to the source is marked by a signpost and an information board belonging to the educational trail “K pramenům Počátek a okolí”. At the destination is a small spring pond measuring 8 × 3 metres, partially hidden beneath the crowns of mature alders in a small grove.

Another focal point is Ptačí park Jihlávka, which is being established between Jihlávka, Horní Dubenky, Kaliště and Býkovec. It stretches from Bor Pond to Býkovecký Pond. In the floodplain of the Hamerský Stream and its tributaries, the park encompasses bogs, wet meadows and other wetlands. In Ptačí park Jihlávka, visitors can observe common snipe, black storks and cranes; sturdy high-cut shoes or rubber boots are required. You should therefore plan for this specific equipment when undertaking a nature excursion.

The Kaliště Bog also reflects the special character of the surrounding area. A total of 87 bird species have been recorded there, including 26 specially protected species. In addition, 47 moss species have been documented, including 17 species on the Czech Red List. Less than two kilometres from the Kaliště Bog locality lies the V Lisovech nature reserve and European Site of Importance. It is considered a typical example of bog meadows and wetlands in broad, shallow spring hollows of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands.

Walks, Bike Rides and Winter Landscapes

The natural surroundings of Jihlávka invite you to go for walks, gather wild forest berries and take bike rides. For a winter excursion, Mount Javořice is located eight kilometres from Jihlávka. As the highest peak of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands, it offers suitable conditions for cross-country skiing in winter. This makes it possible to combine different landscape impressions during one stay: the flat spring hollows and wetlands around Kaliště as well as the higher-elevation winter landscape of Javořice.

Village History and Two Independent Belfries

The documented history of Jihlávka dates back to 1356. At that time, the village was owned by the brothers Rys and Vilém of Jihlávka and belonged to the Janštejn estate. In the surrounding area, a memorial at Bor Pond also commemorates the 1423 battle between the Hussites and the army of Menhart of Hradec.

Two different belfries stand in the village landscape. Jihlávka’s Catholic belfry is a detached, two-storey brick building. It was built in 1830 in the centre of the village square and remodelled in the Neo-Gothic style in the 1920s. The Protestant belfry is also a detached brick building, but was built in 1911 on the eastern edge of the village square. It is considered an example of the late phase of Neo-Gothic architecture in the Vysočina Region. Together, the two buildings make the denominational and architectural diversity of the village square visible.

Further Places for Orientation

For further searches in the surrounding area, you can also view Hybrálec (Hybrálec), Nadějov (Nadějov), Kostelní Myslová (Kostelní Myslová), Jezdovice (Jezdovice), Cerekvička (Cerekvička), Milíčov (Milíčov), Stáj (Stáj) and Brzkov (Brzkov).

For the broader travel overview: Jihlava District.