Discover Culture and History in Pacov

Pacov combines architectural history with exhibitions, green spaces and signposted routes. This gives you a range of themes to choose from when planning your trip: you can focus on the castle and religious buildings, or explore walking and cycling. The periods represented also vary considerably—from medieval origins to buildings dating from the 17th and 19th centuries.

Castle and Town History

Pacov Castle was originally founded as a fortress in the 13th century. In the 16th century, the lords of Robmháp of Suchá converted the fortress into a castle. These details mark distinct stages of construction and make the castle a starting point for exploring the town’s history. Pacov’s information centre is located on the ground floor of the south wing. As the location of visitor services can change, it is advisable to check before your visit.

The castle also features a presentation on the life and work of the poet Antonín Sova. This offers a different focus from the building’s history: it centres on a person and his work. The Antonín Sova Town Museum offers visits to its permanent and temporary exhibitions; its origins date back to 1908. The exhibitions may vary over time.

The town’s conservation area is another part of Pacov’s historical character. It was designated in 1990 because of the town’s medieval historical origins and its many architectural and cultural monuments. Those interested in architectural history will therefore find several different periods and types of buildings in Pacov, rather than just one historical theme.

Churches and Jewish Heritage

The Church of St Michael was originally Gothic; it was founded in the 13th century and built around 1350. The Castle Church of St Wenceslas serves as an exhibition hall, though its exhibition programme may vary. Another architectural contrast is the Cemetery Church of St Barbara, an early Baroque building dating from 1681. Together, these churches offer different points of interest for those interested in religious architecture and its periods of construction.

Pacov Synagogue was built in 1823 and is open to the public during occasional events. Check whether such an event is taking place before your visit. The Jewish cemetery was founded in 1680; around 300 tombstones remain there, the oldest dating from the first half of the 18th century. The cemetery is open to the public in accordance with Jewish rules and holidays; local confirmation of access conditions may be required.

The mortuary at the Jewish cemetery houses a permanent exhibition on the history of the Jewish population in the Pacov region. The exhibition is described as permanently installed; check local access conditions before your visit. This allows you to consider the tombstones and the exhibition as two distinct parts of Pacov’s Jewish heritage, without assuming that their access conditions are the same.

Walking, Cycling and Events

The Sovova Educational Trail starts in Pacov and runs through the village of Bratřice and over Mount Stražiště to Lukavec. It is 12 kilometres long and has four stops; the route is suitable for walkers and cyclists. It provides a clearly described tour to help you plan your trip. Pacov also has dozens of kilometres of signposted cycling routes. As route networks can change, check the current route if you are planning a specific cycling trip.

If you prefer a quieter time surrounded by greenery, the castle park and Antonín Sova Park offer green spaces suited to walks and relaxation. These two parks offer a different way to experience Pacov than a defined tour: here, the focus is on walking and spending time outdoors, while the educational trail passes through several named places.

A special event on the calendar is the historic motorcycle race, held in Pacov every year on the third weekend of June. If you want to plan your trip around this event, check the dates for the relevant year. You can then choose cultural history, outdoor activities or the event as the focus of your stay, and look for a hotel in Pacov.

Discover more destinations: Zlátenka, Hořepník, Zajíčkov, Křelovice, Chystovice, Včelnička, Pelhrimov, Bohdalín.

Return to the regional travel overview: Okres Pelhřimov.