Rvacov offers several distinct points of interest: the Church of St. Nicholas, crosses, and a column-shaped wayside shrine, as well as part of a protected landscape area and named routes. Visitors looking for a cultural theme for their stay will find more than a single historic building. The religious monuments differ in form and in their individual location details. There are also route descriptions that give a marker and length in some cases, and a course between several places in others. You can therefore focus your plans on architectural history, small monuments, landscape, or a named route.

Landscape and Protected Area

The southern part of Rvacov lies in the Žďárské vrchy Protected Landscape Area. Its purpose is to preserve a harmoniously balanced cultural landscape with a significant proportion of natural ecosystems. The conservation focus is therefore not only on nature, but also on the cultural landscape. For understanding the area, it is important to note that this designation applies to the southern part of the town. This landscape aspect complements the religious buildings and small monuments without combining them into a single theme.

The Church of St. Nicholas and Religious Monuments

The Church of St. Nicholas is a prominent attraction, surrounded by traditional folk buildings. Its present appearance dates from 1886; it has been protected as a cultural monument since May 3, 1958. The two dates refer to different aspects: 1886 marks its present appearance, while 1958 marks the start of its protected status. Those interested in the church’s history can thus distinguish the date of its architectural form from that of its monument status.

The Kříž u č. p. 31 cross stands within Rvacov, on a bend near the main road on the left-hand side, by the original old school. This location detail links the monument to a point on the road and to the school. It also helps distinguish this cross from the other small monuments mentioned here.

Kříž na křižovatce k Petrkovu is located at the crossroads on the outskirts of Rvacov, in the direction of Petrkov. Its stone base was restored in July 2014, and the site was also redesigned. The route description is thus linked to a specific restoration date. The cross’s name and its location at the crossroads also indicate the direction of Petrkov.

The Kříž při cestě na Veselý Kopec cross is located at the edge of a private property. A 2014 survey describes a viewpoint with a beautiful view and mentions a simple wooden bench. The date places this description in context; it does not indicate the bench’s present condition. The viewpoint also sets this location apart from the road and crossroads locations mentioned above.

Another type of small religious monument is the Boží muka: a two-storey, column-shaped wayside shrine with niches. Its description draws attention to the structure of the monument, while the three crosses are distinguished primarily by their respective locations and, in the case of Kříž na křižovatce k Petrkovu, by its restoration. The different objects can thus be considered by form, location, and documented changes.

Comparing Route Details

The red-marked Matulova stezka (Matulova Trail) runs through Rvacov u Hlinska and is 1.80 km long. Its name, marking, and length characterize this route. Route 4183, by contrast, is described by its course between several places. A municipal plan from November 2024 lists it as running from Vortová via Chlum, Vítanov, and Rvacov to a forester’s lodge near Bystřice, where it ends. The date refers to the planning document, not to a claimed year in which the route was created.

The two descriptions answer different questions about finding your way: the Matulova stezka is defined by its marking and length, while Route 4183 is described by its starting point, intermediate places, and endpoint. The names should therefore be considered separately rather than treated as one combined route. When choosing a focus for your stay, you can distinguish between the specific cultural monuments, the part of the protected area, and the route options, each described in a different way.

Discover more destinations: Luže-Domanice, Heřmanův Městec, Horní Bradlo, Bylany, Dědová, Hlinsko V Cechách, Klešice, Vyžice

See the broader travel overview: Chrudim District.