Hrutkov: Village Ensemble and Chapel of St. Joseph

Hrutkov combines a historic village setting with the Chapel of St. Joseph, a sports area, and routes that pass through the village. This brings together different interests to consider when planning your trip: you can explore the village layout and its architectural history, or take seasonal outdoor activities into account. Which focus suits you depends on which of these aspects you would like to include in your stay.

Historic Village Setting and Layout

The historic village ensemble is shaped by its buildings and overall layout. The village heritage conservation zone covers the entire built-up area of the municipality, with the exception of the modern agricultural production area. Neoclassical buildings predominate within the historic ensemble; most date from the 1820s to the 1840s.

The layout also helps explain the character of the village: the historic settlement was laid out according to a strip-field plan around an irregular oval village green, about 250 metres long. When looking at the village layout, you can consider not only individual buildings but also the shape of the green and the village’s spatial organisation. In this way, the architectural development and the layout of the village stand as distinct yet related aspects of its historic character.

The Chapel of St. Joseph

The Neo-Gothic Chapel of St. Joseph became a defining building in Hrutkov in the 19th century. The Chapel of St. Joseph in the cemetery has a pentagonal exterior and a decagonal central space inside. The change from five sides on the outside to ten on the inside gives the building a distinctive geometric feature.

The protected complex includes the chapel, a mortuary, a cross, an enclosing wall with a gate, a retaining wall, and the enclosed plot. Protection thus covers not only the chapel building but also other structural elements of the ensemble. For a cultural and historical perspective, it is therefore worth looking both at the chapel’s form and at the protected complex as a whole.

Sports and Outdoor Activities

Sportovní areál Hrutkov has a wake park with a two-pylon cable tow and qualified instructors. The facility also includes a beach volleyball court. Sportovní areál Hrutkov also offers fishing. Activities and facilities may be seasonal. If the wake park, beach volleyball, or fishing is a key part of your visit, check in advance whether it will be available on your travel dates.

Another spot to take in the landscape is the summit of Lískovec, near Hrutkov. It is 562 metres high and offers a lovely view of Jindřichův Hradec. Check locally for access to the viewpoint.

Routes Through Hrutkov and the Surrounding Area

The walking route “Z Kaprouna do Jindřichova Hradce” leads through Česká Kanada from Kaproun via Kunějov, Kačlehy, and Hrutkov to Jindřichův Hradec. Hrutkov is therefore part of a longer sequence of stops. The Jindrova stezka runs through Jindřichův Hradec, Jindřiš, Malý Ratmírov, Vlčice, Střížovice, Lomy, Kunějov, Kačlehy, Hrutkov, and Otín, before returning to Jindřichův Hradec. While the walking route leads from Kaproun to Jindřichův Hradec, the Jindrova stezka returns to Jindřichův Hradec after passing through its sequence of places. Check the route conditions and signage before using the Jindrova stezka.

One route leads from Malý Ratmírov via Blažejov, Hospříz, Hrutkov, Horní Pěna, Dolní Pěna, and Horní Žďár to Jindřichův Hradec. Between Hrutkov and Horní Pěna, part of a route follows the main road towards Nová Bystřice. As road conditions can change, check the situation before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Bořetín U Strmilova, Popelín, Vícemil, Staňkov U Třeboně, Drunče, Nova Vcelnice, Český Rudolec, Jindřichův Hradec 1.

Go to the overview of the wider area: Okres Jindřichův Hradec.