Klatovy offers cultural history, glass art and walking opportunities with very different characteristics. You can focus on what interests you: Jesuit history around the catacombs and church, a collection in the glass pavilion, an annual folklore festival, or routes through the city and Lesopark Hůrka. The steep educational trail at Černá věž requires different planning from the circular route, which can be walked in sections. Viewpoints in Hůrka add views of part of the Bohemian Forest to the cultural attractions.
Jesuit History in Klatovy
The catacombs lie beneath the Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary and Saint Ignatius, as well as the Jesuit college. They were built between 1656 and 1676 as a burial place for members of the Jesuit order and their benefactors. Their history is therefore defined not only by a period of time, but also by a clearly specified function. If you are interested in the city’s history, you can consider this burial place a focus in its own right.
The Jesuit church is also associated with the year 1656: construction began that year. The master builders were Dominik Orsi and Carlo Lurago. Together with the history of the catacombs, this offers a way to explore the Jesuit period in Klatovy that distinguishes the burial function from the history of the church’s construction, rather than treating the two as the same subject.
Glass Art and Local Traditions
The Klatovy Glass Pavilion is located in the gardens beside the Vlastivědné muzeum Dr. Hostaše. It houses more than 500 exhibits and is considered Europe’s largest publicly accessible collection of products from the Lötz glassworks. Thus, alongside its historic sites, Klatovy has a collection with a very different focus. If you are visiting primarily for the glass art, check the latest visitor information before your visit; the collection may change.
The International Folklore Festival is another reason to visit. It takes place annually on the second weekend in July and features around 20 folklore performances. The festival includes a craft market and a pilgrimage market; admission to the entire event is free. The weekend gives you a specific date to plan around. Check the program for the relevant year if you would like to include the festival in your trip.
A cultural tradition with much deeper roots is the cultivation of carnations, with which Klatovy has been associated since the 19th century. The festival brings performances and markets together on a specific weekend; the carnation tradition, by contrast, points to local history spanning a much longer period. Both can shape your cultural trip, without requiring you to time your visit around the same event.
Routes with Different Levels of Difficulty
The educational trail at Černá věž is steep, has many stairs and involves a considerable change in elevation. Its six stops cover the history of Klatovy’s best-known landmark. Take the gradient, stairs and elevation change into account when planning your time and energy. This lets you appreciate the trail’s historical content without losing sight of its physical demands.
The Klatovský vycházkový okruh offers a different option: the circular route is 12 km long, but can also be walked in sections. You can join it at any point. The 12 km refers to the full circuit; if you walk only one section, you do not have to complete the entire route. This offers a choice between a route described as challenging, with historical stops, and a longer circuit that can be divided into sections.
Viewpoints in Lesopark Hůrka
Lesopark Hůrka is suitable for walking, relaxing and sports activities. Two viewpoints offer beautiful views of part of the Bohemian Forest: one is behind St. Martin’s Church, and the other is on the observation tower built in place of St. Anne’s Chapel. The two spots give a visit to the park a scenic focus. You can choose Hůrka as a separate stop alongside the cultural and historical attractions, and make walking, relaxation or sports activities your priority depending on your interests.
Discover more destinations: Kolinec, Dlažov, Lesisov, Maňovice, Chlistov, Dolany, Lukoviste, Biřkov
For the broader travel overview: Okres Klatovy.
