Discover Vílanec

Vílanec combines a historic village setting with a remarkable moorland landscape. In addition to Cycle Route 5215, two marked hiking trails run through the municipality. If you would like to combine nature, local history, and active days during your stay in the Czech Republic, the village offers clearly distinct points of interest for doing so. Its location on the western side of the Jihlávka valley and the I/38 road running through Vílanec also provide a concrete reference point when choosing your base.

Between the Valley and the Protected Moorland

Vílanecké rašeliniště is a nature reserve in the cadastral area of Vílanec. It comprises a diverse mosaic landscape of aquatic, wetland, and meadow habitats in the valley floor, as well as at marshy springs emerging on the slopes. It is precisely this combination of different habitats that makes the area a distinctive natural feature of the village. Rare species found there include the slender cottongrass (Eriophorum gracile) and Hamatocaulis vernicosus.

For you, this means a different way of discovering Vílanec than during a stay focused exclusively on cultural history: the view extends beyond buildings to include water, wetlands, meadows, and springs. Those travelling with family and wishing to combine different interests in one stay can plan nature observation and local history as two separate focal points of the same destination.

Church, Cemetery and Baroque Vicarage

Above Vílanec stands the Church of St James the Greater on a hilltop in a cemetery enclosed by a stone wall. The church dates from approximately 1240 to 1260, making it one of the village’s older historical landmarks. Inside, the church has three altars: the high altar features a painting of Saint James. The side altars are decorated with depictions of the Descent from the Cross of Jesus Christ, John the Baptist in the wilderness, and the Madonna with the Child Jesus.

The historic surroundings also include the Vílanec Vicarage. This is a detached, single-storey Baroque building from the second half of the 17th century, built on the site of an older Renaissance structure. The church, walled cemetery, and vicarage represent different aspects of the village’s architectural and religious history. For a stay focused on historical details, Vílanec is therefore more than just a name on the map.

Cycling and Marked Hiking Trails

Cycle Route 5215 runs from Popice via Vílanec to Luka nad Jihlavou.

Two additional marked hiking trails with different routes run through the municipality. The yellow-marked trail leads via Sokolíčko near Stonařov and Suchá to Špičák. The green-marked trail runs from Čeřínek via Kostelec, Pouště, and Hodice.

Road I/38 runs through Vílanec on the route from Jihlava to Znojmo.

For your further selection of places, you can also consider Hubenov, Dyjice, Olšany, Opatov, Řásná, Rybné, Hodice, and Dlouhá Brtnice.

For the broader travel overview: Jihlava District.