Discover Makov

Makov lies at the foot of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands, ten kilometres west of Litomyšl. The St. Vitus Church shapes the view and helps visitors find their bearings in the town: its 42-metre-high tower makes it a dominant landmark. At the same time, Makov combines a long history with specific memorial sites, a theatre club and tourist routes. When choosing a hotel for a stay in Makov, you can consider whether architecture, history, culture or the hilly landscape should be your main focus.

Landscape and history of Makov

Makov’s terrain is varied and hilly, lying between 380 and 490 metres above sea level. This elevation range describes an area, not a single point in the town. Together with its location at the foot of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands, it helps place Makov in its landscape setting.

The first written mention of Makov dates from 1349. The origins of the town are traced back only to the end of the first millennium; the discovery of a stone axe and a rider’s spur are cited as evidence. These therefore represent two distinct points of reference in time: a written mention in the Middle Ages and an earlier interpretation of the town’s origins based on finds.

St. Vitus Church and historic memorial sites

St. Vitus Church is believed to date back to the beginning of the second millennium. It was originally a Romanesque building that was remodelled several times. Its construction history gives this landmark several historical layers. The church also contains a painting by Mikoláš Aleš. The tower, architectural history and painting offer different points of interest for anyone interested in Makov’s architecture and cultural heritage.

Several memorial sites also form part of the townscape. In the cemetery surrounding St. Vitus Church in the town centre is the registered war grave of Petr, a Russian partisan. A memorial plaque to Petr is located in Sokolovna in the northern part of Makov. The two memorials commemorate the same person in different places in the town. The cenotaph to Josef Síč commemorates a man from Makov who was active in France and England during the Second World War. It stands in front of the cemetery wall and St. Vitus Church, next to the monument to the victims of the First World War. In Makov, you will encounter both individual life stories and remembrance of the victims of war.

Theatre tradition and trails

The Makov Theatre Club has been part of the town since 1919 and has a long tradition there. It strives to stage a premiere every year. This cultural side adds another subject to explore in Makov, alongside its architecture and memorial sites.

Tourist Route 0448 passes through Makov and is 32.5 kilometres long in total. It includes Nedošínský háj, Morašice, Chotovice, Nové Hrady, Vranice, Toulovcovy maštale, Pod Cikánkou and Budislav. The total length and the named stops give a concrete overview of the route. Check the local signposting before your trip.

Hikers can also use a wayfinding point in the area around Makov: at the crossroads in the locality of U Tří Kocourů, a signpost points along the red-marked trail towards Nové Hrady, Chotovice, Makov–Újezdec and Morašice. Check the signposting on site before following these directions.

Makov thus combines a distinctive church and its architectural history with memorial sites, a theatrical tradition dating back to 1919 and a variety of landscape features. Route 0448 and the signpost at U Tří Kocourů each provide specific points of reference for planning your trip. Choose Makov as a destination if you would like to combine these historical and cultural themes with its hilly landscape.

Discover more destinations: Chmelík, Nedvezi, Tržek, Třebařov, Lubná, Radiměř, Chotovice, Čistá

View the broader travel guide: Svitavy District.