The historic centre of Poleň is designated as a village heritage zone. Churches and artistic connections meet here alongside traces of earlier uses; a red-marked hiking trail and regional cycle route 305 add opportunities to explore Poleň on foot or by bike to its cultural and historical themes.

Churches and Art in Poleň

The Church of All Saints has a Gothic core dating from the 14th century and was structurally altered in the 16th and 18th centuries. It thus brings together a medieval starting point and later changes. The church contains a copy of an image of the Virgin Mary with the Christ Child from the workshop of Lucas Cranach. Another artistic connection is the Poleň Madonna: the original is a 16th-century oil painting on wood and is housed in the National Gallery in Prague.

The Church of St. Markéta dates from the first half of the 14th century; only its perimeter walls remain today. In contrast to All Saints, where a church building with a Gothic core and later changes is described, at St. Markéta the surviving walls take centre stage. The Chapel of St. Salvator adds another religious landmark: it was built in 1789 and serves as the crypt of the priests of Poleň.

Historical Traces and Local History

Only the cellars of the former fortress survive beneath what is now house no. 13. A manorial farm building was constructed on its site in 1820. The former Pasička watermill was a typical Šumava mill and is mentioned as early as 1379; the building has since disappeared. These two examples differ in what has survived: the fortress has retained its cellars, while the mill no longer stands.

Another cultural trace is the Poleň lime tree. Historian Josef Dobrovský liked to sit beneath it. The local history therefore encompasses not only churches and structural remains, but also a traditional connection with a well-known figure.

Hiking and Cycling

A red-marked hiking trail runs through Poleň. As trail markings can change, check the route before setting out. Regional cycle route 305 runs via Klatovy, Tajanov, Poleň, Lučice, Chocomyšl, Koloveč, Srbice and Hlohovčice to Staňkov. While the hiking trail runs through Poleň, the cycle route places the town in a longer sequence of named stops. Check the current signage before setting out.

An Early-November Event

The Strašidelná stezka is held regularly in early November. If you would like to plan your trip around this recurring event, check the dates for the year you wish to visit before arranging your stay.

Discover more destinations: Strašín, Žihobce, Kejnice, Komušín, Horní Staňkov, Lukoviste, Svata Katerina, Janovice Nad Úhlavou.

Back to the regional travel overview: Okres Klatovy.