Kaliště U Humpolce: Uplands, Culture and Trails

Uplands with panoramic views

Kaliště U Humpolce lies on an upland plateau at an elevation of 601 metres above sea level. From the surrounding area, views extend across the Vysočina and Central Bohemia as far as Blaník. The cadastral area forms a watershed between the Želivka and Sázava rivers. This gives the area a clearly recognisable landscape profile: elevation, distant views and a geographical distinction come together here. When planning a day, the landscape experience can therefore be combined with a visit to the village and its cultural sites.

Church and local history

The existence of the Church of St John the Baptist in Kaliště has been documented since 1350; at that time, it was already a parish church. The present church was built between 1805 and 1812 in the late Baroque style. The church contains a valuable stone baptismal font from the 15th century. The church building on the village square is listed in the ÚSKP as an immovable cultural monument. The church therefore combines a long history with specific artistic and cultural-historical details.

Gustav Mahler and musical events

Gustav Mahler’s birthplace in Kaliště has a concert hall. Concerts and international master classes in singing, piano and the interpretation of contemporary music take place there. A visit to the accessible part must be arranged in advance. If you plan to visit this site, making arrangements beforehand is therefore a specific part of your preparation. In this way, the composer’s memory is connected with a place where music is also present as a programme of concerts and courses.

Hiking, cycling and winter routes

The Cesta Gustava Mahlera begins in Kaliště u Humpolce and runs via Speřice, across the D1 motorway, through Lhotice, Lískovice and Vřesník, and on to Želiv. It follows a green-marked hiking trail and is approximately 15 km long. With this approximate length, it can be considered a continuous hiking stage; the green marking provides clear guidance along the route. For cycling, cycle route 1211 runs from Proseč via Kaliště and Holušice towards Speřice and onwards. Its route through several villages connects individual local sections into a cycling tour. In winter, the Severozápadní okruh circuit runs from Humpolec around Kališť through Kaliště.

Events and local cuisine

The Jezdecký klub Trio Kaliště equestrian club organises Hubertova jízda every autumn; in the evening, it ends with a dance event. The Sportovní klub Gustava Mahlera Kaliště organises the traditional Kaliště open tennis tournament. Every year, the FolKaliště festival gives up-and-coming musicians, not only young ones, an opportunity to perform. From Kaliště, the festival site can be reached via a marked, 1 km downhill footpath. The Mahler Penzion restaurant serves classic Czech cuisine and international specialities. Alongside culture and outdoor activities, this provides a choice of different culinary styles.

Other places to compare

If you would like to consider other places for your travel plans in addition to Kaliště, here is a compact selection: Olešná U Pelhřimova, Božejov, Libkova Voda, Čejov, Velká Chyška, Kletecna, Proseč U Humpolce and Střítež Pod Křemešníkem.

For the wider travel overview: Pelhřimov District.