Želiv – Monastery, Reservoirs and Cycling Routes

Želiv combines an important monastery complex with waterscapes, cycling routes and unusual historical insights. This makes the town appealing both to visitors who want to discover culture and to travelers who wish to spend their days cycling, paddling or enjoying views of the surrounding area. Different focuses are available when planning your trip: monastery rooms and exhibitions, tours around Želiv and Sedlice, or experiences at the Trnávka Reservoir.

Želiv Monastery and its historic rooms

Želiv Monastery is designated a National Cultural Monument. A central part of the complex is the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, which was extensively rebuilt between 1714 and 1720 by Jan Blažej Santini Aichel. You can supplement your stay with a guided monastery tour; the monastery tour is fully accessible. The Želiv Monastery Visitor Centre provides information about the entire monastery complex and its surroundings.

In the reconstructed Old Prelature, visitors can see nine rooms containing paintings, furniture, books and liturgical objects. The ground floor also houses an exhibition of archaeological discoveries from the monastery grounds and their immediate surroundings. Ten Czech Madonnas are displayed in the coffered hall of Trčkův hrad, including the Želiv Madonna with Child. The exhibition on the history of the psychiatric treatment and care institution in Trčkův hrad offers another historical perspective. It also includes a visit to a former “Samotka” solitary room.

Trnávka Reservoir and special water experiences

The artificial Trnávka slalom course is located near the municipality of Želiv. It is intended for experienced paddlers. Twice a year, Trnávka is opened for free training sessions for professionals and amateurs. A large part of the Trnávka Reservoir is used as a natural outdoor swimming area. This means that Želiv offers different connections with the water side by side: the sports-oriented slalom course and the part of the reservoir used as an outdoor swimming area.

Cycling between Želiv, Vysočina and Sedlice

Želiv also offers specific route options for a cycling trip. The pilgrimage cycling route “Poutní cyklotrasa z Prahy na Vysočinu” continues via Želiv Monastery to Křemešník. The cycling tour “Okolí vodních nádrží Želiv a Sedlice” leads to Želiv and the Sedlice Dam. Depending on your preferred focus, you can center your trip on a pilgrimage route via the monastery or a tour along the waterscape.

Views and notable places in the surrounding area

Nearby Paní skála offers views of the Vřesník Reservoir and the municipality of Želiv. Paní skála is a rock climbing wall and is particularly well known among climbers. The Žižkův dub memorial oak is also located at Panský rybník. These places complement the monastery and water experiences with landscape, views and a specific historic memorial.

More places to search

For further orientation, you can also consider the places Bohdalín, Ježov Nad Želivkou, Vyskytná, Chyšná, Trsov, Kaliště U Humpolce, Svépravice and Utechovice.

For the broader travel overview: Pelhřimov District.