Lichtenstadt (Hroznětín) brings together prominent sites of Jewish and church history, a walking trail and summer activities in the surrounding area. The Jewish cemetery is on the northern outskirts of town, while the Velký Rybník recreation area lies to the south. Other attractions include the Church of St. Peter and Paul, the Flaschner Chapel of the Assumption of Mary and the Gloriett viewpoint.

Jewish cemetery: history and access

The Jewish cemetery in Hroznětín contains gravestones dating from the 17th to the 20th century, as well as a gate and a perimeter wall. The town recommends it as a tourist attraction and describes it as one of the oldest Jewish cemeteries in Central Europe. It is a destination in its own right for anyone interested in the town’s Jewish history.

The cemetery is locked; you can borrow a key from the Hroznětín municipal office. As access arrangements may change, check the current procedure before your visit. This will help you plan your visit rather than assume the cemetery is freely accessible.

Churches and historic buildings

The Church of St. Peter and Paul was founded by Teplá Monastery in the early 13th century. Its Romanesque building was completed in 1217. Its history makes it especially interesting if you would also like to explore older church architecture during your trip.

The church is still standing and is occasionally open to visitors. Ask locally about access before your visit. Another historic landmark is the Flaschner Chapel of the Assumption of Mary, which was restored in 2015.

A circular trail with views as far as Karlovy Vary

The Hroznětínská zastavení circular trail is 4 km long and has ten stops with information panels. Its length and number of stops give you a concrete basis for planning; information about each stop is also provided along the route.

A notable landmark along the way is the Gloriett viewpoint. From there, the view stretches from the southern Ore Mountains to Karlovy Vary. The trail combines exercise with far-reaching views. If you enjoy spending time outdoors, you can make this part of your stay a focus alongside the historic buildings, rather than trying to fit all your interests into a single visit.

Town festival and summer in the recreation area

Hroznětín’s town festivals take place every year on the last Saturday in August and offer a cultural and musical program. Since 2011, the Krušnohorská bramboračka cooking competition has also been part of the event, with potato soup prepared in a cauldron. If you want to plan your trip around the festival, keep the date in mind and check the program details for that year; individual events may vary.

The Velký Rybník recreation area lies south of Hroznětín. Summer activities there include fishing, cycling, mushroom picking and hiking. These activities are based in the area south of town and offer a different focus from the cemetery, churches and walking trail. As you plan your trip, consider whether you would rather focus your stay on culture, the scenic circular trail or summer activities in the recreation area.

Plan your accommodation and journey

If the cemetery and churches are your main focus, plan your visits around their respective access arrangements. For a stay centered on the walking trail or summer activities, you can instead take the routes to these destinations into account.

The single-track Karlovy Vary–Merklín railway line runs near Hroznětín. If you plan to travel by train, check the current timetables for your intended connection.

Discover more destinations: Nové Hamry, Uitwa, Chiesch, Tüppelsgrün, Merkelsgrün, Dallwitz, Pechöfen, Wickwitz

See the wider travel guide: Karlovy Vary Region.