Petrovice combines longer trails, natural attractions and historic buildings. When planning your visit, it is worth distinguishing between the different destinations: the Petrovicko Nature Trail starts and ends in the town, while the Petrovická Trail leads over Mount Hodětín to the Kuníček Observation Tower. The natural monuments also differ in location. Vrškámen is about 500 metres east-southeast of the centre; Husova kazatelna is in the woods near Petrovice. This lets you choose the focus of your stay without prematurely combining the sights into a single route.

Nature Trails and Observation Tower

The Petrovicko Nature Trail is just under 27 kilometres long and has 20 information panels. Its length and number of panels give you two specific points of reference for factoring this tour into your plans: it is different from a short detour to a single site. The trail starts and ends in Petrovice. Part of it is also accessible to cyclists. If you choose this route, take its length into account and plan a pace that suits your itinerary.

The Petrovická Trail offers a different point of reference. It leads from Petrovice over Mount Hodětín and onwards to the Kuníček Observation Tower. This sets it apart from the Petrovicko Nature Trail both through its named destination and its described route. If you want to include the observation tower in your plans, you can follow this route description; if you are looking for a route with information panels, the Petrovicko Nature Trail is the one to choose.

The Kuníček Observation Tower is 60.02 metres tall. Its upper viewing platform is 36.6 metres above the ground, so the height of the tower and the height of the platform refer to different measurements. The tower is listed as having opened to the public on 28 June 2003. If you are planning to visit it on a particular day, check current access arrangements in advance.

Natural Attractions near Petrovice

The Vrškámen natural monument lies about 500 metres east-southeast of the centre of Petrovice. Husova kazatelna, meanwhile, is a protected natural monument in the woods near the town. The location details distinguish the two sites: for Vrškámen, the approximate direction from the centre is given; for Husova kazatelna, its setting in the woods near Petrovice is specified.

Husova kazatelna is considered the largest rocking stone in the Czech Republic. A walkable tourist trail leads to it; from the road, access continues for more than 250 metres. Allow for this additional stretch when planning your visit, and check local conditions beforehand, as they may change. This helps you understand the natural attraction not only by its distinctive feature, but also by the described access route.

Church Complex and Castle Grounds

The Church of St Peter and Paul complex is located at the northeast corner of Petrovice’s square. It comprises the parish church, a stone cemetery wall and the Chapel of St John of Nepomuk. The chapel is built onto the western section of the wall on the outside. The complex therefore includes more than the church building alone: the wall and chapel are also part of its structure. The medieval church was remodelled in the Baroque style in the 18th century under Jesuit influence. Here, a medieval origin meets a later Baroque transformation.

Another historic landmark is the Petrovice castle grounds, which are designated a cultural monument. The castle’s main building, also known as “Panský dům”, stands on the site of an earlier medieval fortress. The fortress dates back to the 14th century, and its first written mention is from 1489. The dating and written mention refer to the earlier fortress, while “Panský dům” refers to the castle’s main building. Together with the church, this creates a cultural focus with two distinct histories: the Baroque-remodelled parish church and the castle grounds on the site of the earlier fortress.

Discover more destinations: Lazsko, Drahenice, Osečany, Chouzava, Pičín, Chotilsko, Rosovice, Kamýk Nad Vltavou

For the overview of the wider area: Okres Příbram.