Discover Popelín

Popelín can be explored through two main themes: its hilly surroundings, shaped by forests and ponds, and its architectural and local history. When planning your visit, you can first consider whether nature, historic architecture or a visit as part of a leg will shape your stay. The landscape and the town’s historical features offer different starting points for exploring the area.

Landscape and hiking

The area around Popelín is characterised by numerous hills, forests and ponds. The surroundings are suitable for hiking, making the landscape and outdoor activity a distinct focus for a stay. This offers a different way to explore Popelín from its local history, which can be discovered through individual buildings, works of art and their dates. If you enjoy hiking, you can take the landscape into account when choosing your destination and the length of your stay.

Fortress, château and Baroque buildings

A fortress was built in Popelín by the second half of the 14th century at the latest. At the end of the 16th century, Zikmund Kunrat Vrchotický z Loutkova converted it into a two-winged Renaissance château with a corner tower. The Renaissance building thus followed the fortress chronologically: it was created by converting it and represents a later form of the same architectural complex.

The 1733 granary adds to the picture of the Baroque period. It is an example of high-quality Baroque architecture and served agricultural purposes. Its architectural quality and practical function as a granary are equally important to its significance.

The Chapel of the Virgin Mary is also a late Baroque building. It is located in the centre of the former Baroque spa complex. This connects the individual religious building with the history of the former complex, without implying that the spa complex still operates today.

Near the former château is a group of atlantes sculptures made of shell limestone, dating from the first half of the 18th century. In architecture, “atlantes” are figures representing supporting elements. The term helps identify the group as architecture-related sculpture; the material and date add a specific work of art to the architectural history.

A statue of Saint John of Nepomuk stands in the village square. It is considered a valuable piece of sculpture by a rural stonemason from around 1730. A sundial can also be seen on a church in Popelín. Together with the granary, chapel and group of atlantes, it broadens the picture of the town’s artistic and architectural heritage to include sculpture and an architectural detail.

A leg and getting there

The leg in Popelín traditionally includes a children’s cycling race on a shortened route through the town. If you would like to combine your trip with the leg, check the specific event date in advance.

Popelín is on the Veselí nad Lužnicí–Jihlava railway line. Bus services connect the town with Jindřichův Hradec, Strmilov, Dačice, Žirovnice and Počátky. When planning your journey, check which service suits your intended travel date.

When looking for a hotel for your stay in Popelín, you can start by choosing your focus: hiking, architectural history or the leg each brings a different emphasis to your travel plans. Choose your travel dates to suit the occasion and, for your specific visit, check the relevant timetables and, if applicable, the event date.

Discover more destinations: Dunajovice, Ceské Velenice, Bednárec, Horní Skrýchov, Bořetín U Strmilova, Řečice, Pístina, Studená U Telče.

For the wider travel overview: Jindřichův Hradec District.