In Rtyně v Podkrkonoší, you can explore several aspects of the town’s history: the town museum in the former Památník 1775, memories of the peasant uprising and a trail to mining monuments. There is also a viewpoint above the town. This gives you a choice of ways to plan your visit—from the museum and historic buildings to a longer route with a specified difficulty level.
Museum and the 1775 Peasant Uprising
The town museum is located in the former Památník 1775. This building was converted from the Rychetská stable in 1975, on the 200th anniversary of the peasant uprising. The ethnographic exhibition focuses on everyday life: it shows the furnishings of a farmhouse room, as well as tools and household items used by local people at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries. The exhibition offers a glimpse into the domestic life of the local population at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries.
The 1775 uprising was a struggle by Czech peasants against the authorities. Its aim was to free themselves from corvée and serfdom obligations. Associated with it is the so-called “selského guberna,” led by the judge Antonín Nývlt of Rtyně v Podkrkonoší, where rebellious subjects united. A statue of the rebel near the museum commemorates Nývlt and the peasant unrest. It was created by academic sculptor František David in 1975.
Historic Farmstead and Public Art
The listed log cabin No. 53 is a farmstead of exceptional historical and architectural value. Its residential section, with a smoke room, dates from 1547. This makes the farmstead a tangible point of interest for anyone interested in rural architectural history.
The statue of King David in front of the cemetery’s main entrance offers a different perspective on local art history. Made of local red sandstone, it dates from 1730 and is attributed to the workshop of Matyáš Bernard Braun. Its material, date and workshop association give it a distinct character alongside the memorials connected with the peasant uprising.
Mining Heritage Trail and Viewpoint
The Rtyňský okruh, also known as the mining heritage trail, begins and ends at the town museum. The route is 9.6 kilometres long, includes five stops and is considered moderately difficult to challenging. Before setting off, check the latest route information and starting arrangements, as these may change.
For views of the landscape, visit the chapel above Rtyně v Podkrkonoší. From there, the view stretches across the Rtyně and Svatoňovice basin, framed by the Jestřebí Mountains. The view of the basin and mountain range offers a different focus from the trail: here the landscape takes centre stage, while the trail focuses on mining heritage.
Play Activities and Tactile Museum Trail
Permonický důl is an adventure game for children in a historic cellar and includes four tasks. Children search for coal among the stones, identify mining objects and look for a piece of gold. The tasks offer a playful introduction to the theme of mining. As access arrangements may change, check the current conditions before visiting.
Another special feature of the museum is designed for blind and visually impaired visitors. The tactile trail includes touchable replicas of selected exhibits, Braille labels and two audio guides in Czech. It was introduced in 2023; before your visit, check whether the trail and its features are currently available.
Plan Guided Tours in Advance
The town museum offers guided tours of the Rtyně bell tower, with commentary. If you would like to include this tour in your plans, check in advance when it is available. This lets you choose between a museum visit, the trail and other historical attractions according to your interests, without assuming a specific visiting time for any of the offerings.
Discover more destinations: Borovnice U Staré Paky, Batňovice, Hřibojedy, Dolní Olešnice, Lánov, Čistá V Krkonoších, Hajnice, Velky Vrestov.
For the regional travel overview: Okres Trutnov.
