Stáj: Village history near the historic border

Stáj combines its location near the historic border between Bohemia and Moravia with a Late Baroque chapel, a layered village history, and the Českomoravská stezka. The village offers different points of interest for planning your trip: the village itself, its history, and specific sections of a regional route.

Location and landscape around Stáj

Stáj lies near the historic regional border between Bohemia and Moravia. To the south of Stáj, the European Elbe–Danube watershed bounds the area. At 617 metres above sea level, Na Vrchu is the highest point in the surroundings and lies less than a kilometre from the village.

Water is also part of the village landscape: a stream flows through the middle of Stáj and is dammed by several ponds. These serve as fire-fighting water reservoirs. In the centre of the village, the stream and ponds sit alongside the village’s historical landmarks, forming a tangible connection between landscape and settlement.

Village history and the chapel in the centre

The original settlement was probably established in the 13th century through the colonisation efforts of the Benedictine monastery in Třebíč. The already existing village was first mentioned in 1298. These two dates refer to different stages: the presumed founding of the settlement and its later first mention.

In the centre of Stáj stands a chapel dedicated to Saint John of Nepomuk, built in 1808. It is a Late Baroque rubble-stone chapel with a square floor plan. Its architectural features include corner pilaster strips, a pavilion roof, an open lantern, and a crowning element. Those interested in architecture will find a compact example of religious architecture here, with individual features that are easy to identify and classify.

Another historical account has been preserved as local tradition: a camp of guard troops is said to have been located near Stáj, along the highway in the direction of Polná. This tradition is part of the regional history, but should be distinguished from the directly described buildings and village facts.

The Českomoravská stezka and trail conditions

The Via Czechia Českomoravská stezka route passes through Stáj and turns away from the historic border in the direction of Polná. The village is therefore part of a specific route. Near Jihlava, the Českomoravská stezka passes all four historic border pillars; this section is another regional point of interest along the route.

One limitation is important when choosing the route between Stáj and Polná: the section marked in blue is difficult to walk and completely impassable by bicycle. Check the current conditions on this section before setting off. This keeps the warning specific to the described part of the route rather than applying it to the entire route.

Conditions also vary by section between Polná and Věžnička. There, the blue-marked trail is very difficult to ride by bicycle, so the route follows a side road. If you are planning to cycle the route, take this alternative alignment into account and check the current trail conditions before setting out.

Accommodation and travel planning towards Polná

The route leads from Stáj towards Polná, so you can plan your route and overnight stay together without treating the two villages as one and the same place.

In Stáj, the focus is on village history, the chapel, and the trail conditions on the section towards Polná. Polná complements this orientation with its own sights and accommodation options. The stage that suits your stay therefore depends on whether you want to explore the character of Stáj or combine the route with a stay in Polná.

Discover more destinations: Vápovice, Jezdovice, Švábov, Suchá, Věžnička, Kostelec, Pavlov, Ždírec.

For the broader travel overview: Jihlava District.