Discover Sumna: hiking, castle ruins and church architecture

Šumná is surrounded by forests on the edge of Podyjí National Park and serves as a starting point for access to the Vranovsko recreation area. This means there are several ways to shape your trip: explore the landscape, follow routes to historical sites, or visit cultural monuments in the town. If you are looking for hotels for a trip to Sumna, specific attractions can help you tailor your stay to your plans.

Exploring on foot and by bike

The ruins of Šimberk Castle can be reached from Šumná on foot in less than an hour. Check trail conditions before setting out. Another guide for active days is the Jaroslavice–Znojmo–Uherčice Cycle Route No. 5007, which passes through Šumná.

The road connections can also help with planning your trip. Šumná lies at a crossroads linking Vranovská Ves with Lesná and Znojmo, as well as with Vranov nad Dyjí and Bítov. These road connections provide a different point of reference from the walking and cycling routes mentioned above. When choosing your destinations, you can first decide whether to focus on a hike, a bike ride or a visit to the historic buildings.

Church of the Holy Spirit

One of the notable cultural monuments in Šumná is the Church of the Holy Spirit (Kostel Svatého Ducha). It was designed by Brno architect Marek Štěpán and received the Club for Old Prague Award in 2010. The award and the design give a visit to the church a specific architectural focus. The building can accommodate 100 people, including 50 seated visitors.

Outside the stated service times, visits are possible by prior arrangement and include a short guided tour. If you plan to include the church in your day, remember to make arrangements before visiting. This distinguishes a church visit from a walk or a look at the ruins: prior arrangement is explicitly required.

Castle ruins and local history

The names Šimberk and Šenkenberk refer to different castle ruins. Šimberk is the destination of the walking route, reachable from Šumná in less than an hour. The nearby ruins of Šenkenberk Castle offer another historical stop. The castle was probably founded at the beginning of the 13th century and was first mentioned in a document issued by King John of Luxembourg in 1325. The uncertain date of its founding and the documented first mention are two distinct historical details.

Remains of the enclosure walls and ramparts survive at Šenkenberk. The ruins have been protected as a cultural monument since 1958 and are freely accessible. As conditions at the site may change, it is advisable to check access before your visit. The surviving walls and ramparts provide a tangible connection to the castle, while the dates help place it in its historical context.

The town itself also has a long history: Šumná was founded in 1798 on cleared forest land. The pond Vlkov is also known as Šimperák. This alternative name is useful to know when familiarizing yourself with local place names; it should not be confused with the similar-sounding names of the castle ruins.

Discover more destinations: Dyje, Vémyslice, Přeskače, Vranov nad Dyjí, Bohutice, Korolupy, Těšetice, Jezeřany-Maršovice

For the broader travel overview: Znojmo District.