Polná: Castle, historic trails and ponds

When choosing a hotel in Polná, you can focus your visit on historic buildings, trails, or pond landscapes. The castle and chateau are a prominent feature; the educational trails lead through the historic centre and out into nature. Peklo and Kukle offer different landscape settings. The details below can help you explore Polná based on the interests you want to shape your trip around.

Castle, chateau and Jewish history

Polná Castle and Chateau stand on a rocky promontory above Peklo Pond. The complex includes the inner castle, the buildings of the outer bailey, two courtyards, the zwinger, and the site of a former garden. This layout gives the complex several distinct areas: from the inner castle to the outer bailey buildings, courtyards and zwinger.

The buildings feature Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque elements. These include a Gothic battlement walkway with a bastion, Late Gothic vaults, and remains of Renaissance paintings in the Kunštátský Hall. A visit lets you see different building periods and surviving details within the same complex.

From April to the end of October, Polná Castle and Chateau, including its exhibitions and tour routes, are fully open to the public. Check current visitor information and opening hours before your visit.

The synagogue in Polná is used by the Regional Jewish Museum for exhibitions on the history of Jews in Polná and the Hilsner affair. Another place with a historical focus is the Stará škola. On a 45-minute guided tour, you can see a classroom from 1866, a teaching-aids collection featuring a two-headed calf, a preserved Black Kitchen, and the teacher’s apartment. Check whether the tour is available in advance if you plan to visit.

Circular trails with different focuses

The 6.2-kilometre Josef Klement Educational Trail begins and ends at Husovo náměstí. This circular route passes through the historic centre and Jewish quarter before continuing into the natural surroundings of Peklo Pond. It is rated as easy and follows paved paths and forest trails with moderate inclines. These details describe both the route’s length and character; conditions may vary seasonally.

The Pojmann Trail is a 6.5-kilometre circular route from Polná to Kukle Pond and back. Marked with a yellow hiking trail symbol, it passes Borský Pond, the former Štohanzlův Mill, Kukle Pond, and the Obecní les municipal forest. Rest stops are located at Doubravník above the Borský Valley and on the dam at Kukle Pond. At 6.2 and 6.5 kilometres, the two circular trails are similar in length: the Josef Klement Educational Trail is characterised by the historic centre, the Jewish quarter, and moderate inclines, while the Pojmann Trail focuses on Kukle and the landscape features mentioned above. Trail markings and conditions may change.

Historic routes and ponds

Klešter is a national cultural monument and a deeply cut sunken lane along an old trade route. The route connected Bohemia and Moravia, and tolls were collected there. The sunken lane thus points to a historic link between the two regions and adds a different perspective on former transport routes to the town’s architectural history.

Peklo Pond is the largest pond in the Polensko area and more than a kilometre long. It is associated with a recreational and sports area. Its significance to the landscape is also reflected in the Josef Klement Educational Trail, which leads into the natural surroundings of Peklo. Kukle Pond, meanwhile, is the destination of the Pojmann Trail; a rest stop is also located on its dam.

A culinary event

Mrkvancobraní is a recurring culinary event in Polná. It includes a competition to find the best Mrkvánek and also aims to help preserve the local baking tradition. If you would like to plan your trip around the event, check the dates for that year’s programme.

Discover more destinations: Telc, Kněžice, Vílanec, Věžnička, Klatovec, Dlouhá Brtnice, Opatov, Kamenice.

For the broader travel overview: Okres Jihlava.