Discover Horní Bradlo

In Horní Bradlo, natural surroundings and cultural history go hand in hand. Landmarks include the protected landscape and hiking trails, as well as a Neo-Gothic chapel, the former glassworks and an exhibition of rocking horses and retro toys.

Landscape and trails

Horní Bradlo lies in the Železné hory Protected Landscape Area. The village’s cadastral area also contains the Polom Nature Reserve, also known as Polom Old-Growth Forest. The place name derives from a distinct rock or rocky cliff, called a “bradlo” in geology. These two forms of protection are not synonymous: the Protected Landscape Area is where Horní Bradlo is located, while Polom lies within the village’s cadastral area.

The green-marked hiking route used to pass through Polom, but was rerouted outside the protected area from May 2023 to 2033 for hikers’ safety. If you plan to take this particular route, bear in mind that it runs outside Polom during this period. The Via Czechia long-distance hiking trail passes through Horní Bradlo. The village has a shelter, a restaurant, a grocery store and a bus connection. These two hiking notes address different points: the rerouting describes the course and timeframe of a green-marked route, while Via Czechia establishes Horní Bradlo’s connection to the trail.

Chapel of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary

The Chapel of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is a distinctive landmark in Horní Bradlo and a cultural monument. It was built between 1892 and 1894 in the Neo-Gothic style. The Rükl family crypt is inside. The slender windows and the eastern rose window contain coloured stained glass. A rose window is a round window; here, it is on the eastern side. The construction dates and the style designation answer different questions: the years indicate when it was built, while the Neo-Gothic form describes its architectural classification.

Former glassworks and exhibition

The former glassworks in Horní Bradlo was named Vilemínina huť in honour of Princess Vilemína Auerspergová. Guided tours are offered at the former glassworks site for schools, kindergartens, groups and families. If a tour is important to your plans, confirm the specific date in advance.

Vánoční Království in Horní Bradlo has an exhibition of rocking horses and retro toys. This adds another clearly defined theme to the architecture, landscape and glassmaking history.

Dates to bear in mind when planning

Two sets of dates are relevant to travel planning and should be read differently: 1892 to 1894 gives the chapel’s construction period; May 2023 to 2033 gives the period of the route rerouting. For the chapel, the years mark when the building was constructed. For the hiking route, the dates indicate the period during which it runs outside the protected area.

Discover more destinations: Zderaz, Licibořice, Tisovec, Skalice, Tuněchody, Jeníkov, Hamry U Hlinska, Holetín.

Back to the main travel overview: Chrudim District.