Žirov: Pond Landscape, Mills and Cycling Routes

Žirov brings together local history, a landscape of ponds and cycling routes in a range of distinct themes. These include the Chapel of St. Wenceslas, historic mills and cast-iron crosses, as well as the Kladiny pond system and several routes. You can plan your trip around these highlights and discover Žirov through its cultural history, its waters or by bicycle.

Local History and the Chapel of St. Wenceslas

Žirov was probably founded in the 13th century on the edge of the Červená Řečice estate, which belonged to the Diocese of Prague. The Chapel of St. Wenceslas was built in 1929 and is dedicated to St. Wenceslas. Marian devotions are held there in May and October. The year it was built and the recurring months of devotion give the chapel two distinct time references: its origins and the regularly scheduled services.

Ponds and Mills

The Kladiny pond system below Žirov dates back to the 16th century: Dolní Kladina was established in 1545 and Horní Kladina in 1559. The ponds are defined not only by their age, as they also feed the Kladinský potok. The landscape around Žirov has been revitalized in particular by pond restoration since around 2010. Together, the historic ponds and their hydrological connection to the stream reflect the village’s relationship with its landscape.

The mills add a history of earlier uses to the story of the water. Světničkův mlýn was a groat mill and operated until the mid-20th century. The mill Machkův mlýn was formerly called Lhotecký mlýn and later Pilařův mlýn; the name mlýn Pilař is also commonly used for it. Originally, Machkův mlýn was an archiepiscopal mill below the Dolní Kladina pond, and it remained in operation until 1960.

The Vlčinec mill was probably built in the first half of the 18th century. Its surviving wooden mill house is built using log construction, in which logs are stacked to form the structure. Along the Kladinský potok, Vlčinec is the last mill before the stream joins the Jankovský. Its probable construction period, surviving building technique and position along the stream each offer a distinct perspective on the history of the mills.

Cast-Iron Crosses

More than ten cast-iron crosses stand within the cadastral area of Žirov. Many probably replaced older wooden crosses. The crosses offer another way to explore local history alongside the chapel and mills; at the same time, the possible replacement of the wooden crosses remains a historical interpretation.

Cycling Routes and Trip Planning

A blue cycling route from Křemešník to Mladé Bříště and Humpolec roughly follows the medieval road that passed Žirov. Žirov is also a waypoint on the 39 km cycling loop from Pelhřimov via Křemešník and back to Pelhřimov. The blue route is described by its approximate relation to the medieval road, while the Pelhřimov loop is defined by its total length and circular route.

The Žirov circuit can be extended near Žirov via Zachotín, Mysletín, Dudín, Polánky, Vyskytná, Branišov, Kamenicko and Horní Strměchy. On the approach to Žirov, the circuit offers views of the summit of Strážiště and the Křemešník massif. If you plan the extension described, check trail conditions before setting out, as they may change.

When looking for a hotel in Žirov, you can decide in advance what you would like to focus on during your trip: the chapel, crosses and mills suit a cultural-history itinerary, while the routes describe different options for a cycling trip. This lets you choose your accommodation based on the themes that interest you most in Žirov.

Discover more destinations: Obrataň, Syrov, Vysoká Lhota, Píšť, Stojčín, Chystovice, Putimov, Kosetice

For the broader travel overview: Pelhřimov District.