Onšov – Baroque Chateau, Hůra and Local History

Onšov combines Baroque architectural history, a distinctive hill and layers of local detail into a destination offering a variety of opportunities for discovery. The Baroque chateau stands on a hill to the west, above the stream and the valley in which Onšov extends. Above the village, the Hůra hill also rises to 544 m above sea level. Those looking for accommodation in Onšov can therefore plan their stay around cultural discoveries, a walk through the landscape or local events held on specified dates.

Baroque Chateau and the Church of Saint Martin

The Baroque chateau in Onšov was built from 1738 onwards and completed in 1787 after an interruption. Today, it serves as a retirement home. Its history is therefore one of the defining historical references of the village, while its present-day use should be taken into account when planning a visit.

A second focus of the village’s history is the originally Romanesque Church of Saint Martin. It probably dates from the first half of the 13th century and is presumably connected with a former fortress. The church is thus significantly older than the Baroque chateau built from 1738 onwards. A granite cross stands in the cemetery of the Onšov church. A chapel of the Virgin Mary is also built into the enclosing wall of the cemetery area. These details are closely connected with the village’s historic appearance and complement the view of the chateau with a religious and medieval dimension.

Hůra: Forest Path, Valley View and Remembrance of a Former Church

The summit of Hůra can be reached from Onšov via a forest path. From the top, there is a view into the valley below the hill. This makes it possible to experience the landscape not only from the village itself, but also along a route on foot. A cross with an information panel can be seen on Hůra. The panel provides information about the former Church of the Transfiguration, which was demolished in 1818. It thus commemorates a building that has not existed since 1818. The ascent therefore combines a landscape destination with a specific reminder of the hill’s former use.

Events with Fixed Historical Dates

The cycling and tourism event “Kolem dokola Košeticka”, held repeatedly, passed through the village in its 8th edition on 26 August 2023. In Onšov, there was a starting point and a refreshment stop. During the event, a refreshment station serving drinks and food was open at the fire station.

The festival “Pálení čarodějnic” was held repeatedly in Onšov on 30 April, specifically in 2023, 2025 and 2026. Those wishing to combine cultural history and the landscape will therefore find several different points of interest in Onšov: the chateau and church represent the village’s history, Hůra offers a route into the landscape, and the dated events represent community occasions.

Other Places

The same selection of places also includes Horní Rápotice (Horní Rápotice), Žirovnice (Žirovnice), Bohdalín (Bohdalín), Hořepník (Hořepník), Zlátenka (Zlátenka), Vysoká Lhota (Vysoká Lhota), Chyšná (Chyšná) and Důl (Důl).

For the higher-level travel overview: Pelhřimov District.