Zlenice offers several specific attractions for a stay: the castle with the Hláska Tower, routes for walking or cycling, and travel by train or ferry. The castle stands on a promontory at the confluence of the Mnichovka and the Sázava. If you plan your trip around cultural or nature interests, you can decide whether the ruins, a route, or the annual festival should be the main focus.
Zlenice Castle and the Hláska Tower
The most distinctive surviving part of Zlenice Castle is the large Hláska Tower. The castle was first mentioned in writing in 1318. This year provides a historical reference point, while the tower is the most distinctive surviving part of the complex. So a specific date and a named building take center stage if you choose Zlenice primarily for its castle ruins.
Festival and Medieval Crafts
The annual benefit festival “Oživlý středověk” is another attraction. It focuses on medieval crafts from the time of Charles IV and takes place on the grounds of the Zlenice Castle ruins. The festival also supports the conservation of the ruins. The cultural program and preservation of the site are thus part of the same event. There is also a hands-on activity: visitors can first grind flour using a grain mill and then sample flatbreads. This brings together crafts and a tasting during the festival visit. If you plan your trip around the event, check the date for that year.
On Foot or by Bike
The third section of the “Vodnické vycházky” is 4.5 km long and follows the right bank of the Mnichovka to the Sázava. At the end of the “Vodnické vycházky” by the Sázava, visitors can reach Zlenice Castle and the Hláska Tower. For cyclists, a section of the “Cyrilometodějská stezka” cycle route, about 40 km long, runs from Sázava via Zlenice and the Hláska Tower to Čerčany. The figures refer to different routes and distances: 4.5 km for the third section of the “Vodnické vycházky,” and around 40 km for a section of the cycle route. This lets you choose between a walking route and a longer cycling connection without confusing the lengths of the two routes.
Getting There and Accommodation
The Posázavský Pacifik serves the Zlenice stop on the route between Čerčany and Světlá nad Sázavou. The “HLÁSKA” ferry runs between Senohrabská plovárna and Zlenice across a stretch about 65 m wide. Both a rail connection and a ferry are therefore available for getting there. If your plans depend on the train, check the timetable; for the ferry, check the operating days.
If you are looking for hotels in Zlenice, check availability for your chosen accommodation on your travel dates. If your stay depends on the festival or a specific connection, also check the event date or travel times.
Discover more destinations: Kladruby U Vlašimi, Bukovany, Dunice, Václavice, Maršovice, Chářovice, Libohošť, Krhanice
For the broader travel overview: Okres Benešov.
