Discover Štoky: Buildings, Monuments and Cycling Route

The history of Štoky can be read in its buildings and monuments from different centuries. There is also a cycling route that passes through the town. These offer two distinct perspectives for planning your stay: historical traces and a specific section of a cycling route. The dates, too, refer to different things—for example, a written mention, the construction period, or a later commemorative marker.

Buildings and History

The Church of St. James the Greater is a protected cultural monument and has been documented in writing since 1372. The year therefore refers to the written record of the church, not to a stated construction date. The Empire-style house at No. 61 in Štoky is also protected as a cultural monument. Together, these two buildings offer insight into local architectural history, without implying that their dates are equivalent.

Štoky Chateau was built in 1760 in the late Baroque style by Karel Josef z Palmů, the owner of the estate. It also became the administrative centre of the former Střítež estate. Its construction period and former administrative function complement each other: one places the chateau in its architectural context, while the other describes its historical role. Thus, alongside the church building from the early written record, there is a chateau whose construction date and former function are clearly stated.

Monuments and Their Dates

The stone Roland column dates from around 1500. The Baroque statue of Saint John of Nepomuk, by contrast, dates to the first half of the 18th century; the year 1803 is engraved on its pedestal. For the statue, the date of the artwork and the year of the inscription are therefore two distinct points of reference. Together with the Roland column, they show how differently the dates of individual monuments can be established.

The monument to the Battle of Štoky commemorates the fighting that took place there from 2 to 5 December 1805. It was ceremonially unveiled on 1 July 2000. The event and the unveiling are therefore far apart in time: the monument commemorates an event from the early 19th century, while its own history is linked to the year 2000. It stands on Road No. 38 between Štoky and Antonínův Důl. This location helps place the monument geographically, while the two dates distinguish its historical context from its later commemorative history.

Cycling Route and Former Nature Trail

The “Okruh kolem Jihlavy přes Polnou” cycling route runs from Kamenná through Štoky to the Pod Serpentinkou trail junction. The section, just under nine kilometres long, follows the blue-marked trail. The stated length applies to this section, not to a stated total length for the cycling route. As route conditions and markings may change, check the current route before setting off.

A separate route is the original nature trail, which ran from the cemetery via Hanesův mlýn to the outdoor swimming pool. It originally had eight stations; today, the information boards are damaged and only three stations remain. If you include this route in your plans, take its described condition into account and check in advance what can still be followed on site. This helps distinguish the information about the cycling route from that about the nature trail: the cycling route is a marked section, while the nature trail is also described in terms of the condition of its stations and boards.

Hanesův mlýn and Planning Your Visit

Hanesův mlýn already existed in 1756. A visit to the restaurant at Penzion Hanesův mlýn is possible by prior arrangement only. So arrange your restaurant visit in advance. The historical mention of the mill site and the current visiting requirement answer different questions: the year places Hanesův mlýn in time, while the arrangement concerns planning a restaurant visit.

Whether you are mainly interested in architectural history, monuments, or the cycling route section, each date and condition can be linked to a specific place or offering. This can help you decide which of these perspectives fits your travel plans for a stay in Štoky.

Discover more destinations: Sedletín, Herálec, Kunemil, Krucemburk, Borek, Nová Ves U Leštiny, Krátká Ves, Ledec Nad Sázavou.

Go to the overview of the wider area: Havlíčkův Brod District.