The Church of St. Bartholomew in Kunžak was first mentioned in 1370. It acquired its present appearance following rebuilding after the fires of 1742 and 1808. Its construction history therefore extends from its first mention to later changes to the church building.

Church, Monument and Older Architectural Styles

The church’s prismatic tower is 24.8 metres high and has five storeys. It was added in 1556 and is topped with a Renaissance-style cupola. Behind the church stands the rectory, built in the Neoclassical style in 1796. These buildings represent different architectural styles around St. Bartholomew’s.

In front of the church tower stands a monument to the victims of the First World War, erected in 1933. It bears a statue of a legionnaire by Karla Vobišová-Žáková (1887–1961), a sculptor born in Kunžak. Five protected wayside shrines add to the character of the town: two are in the park by the church and three remain in their original locations.

Timber-framed House No. 63 is also a rare surviving example of an older type of traditional regional dwelling. Below the school stands a stone fountain dating from 1815. It was originally the largest fountain in Kunžak.

Pond Landscapes and Protected Nature

Komorník Pond was created by Zachariáš of Hradec in 1575. It covers 56 hectares and is three kilometres long. In summer, it is a popular place for swimming; bathing conditions and facilities may vary.

A different scale is represented by the protected natural monument, covering 0.11 hectares and located about one kilometre west of Kunžak. It is home to a notable population of common juniper, and its gene pool is also protected. Komorník and the small juniper area thus represent different aspects of nature. The Javorka spring lies on Bystřická Street at an altitude of 634 metres. Vysoký kámen is 738 metres high and is the highest point in the surroundings of Kunžak.

Hiking the Czech Canada Trail

The Czech Canada Trail reaches Kunžak about three kilometres from Krvavý Pond via a quiet road. From the Kunžak section of the trail, the route follows red-marked hiking trails through a gorge and the Kunžacký Forest towards Vysoký kámen. Despite the effects of bark beetle infestation, the landscape is considered attractive. It is advisable to check trail conditions and markings before setting out.

Local History and the Regional Setting

Kunžak developed at a crossroads of trade routes. Velké Podolí is the oldest part of Kunžak and offers another point of reference for the town’s history. Together with its buildings and monuments, it gives a glimpse of the town’s different historical layers, from its early development to specific architectural and artistic works.

For a broader regional perspective: the Česká Kanada area is bounded by Kunžak, Nová Bystřice and Slavonice and was designated a protected landscape area in 1994. The history of the town can thus also be viewed alongside a landscape with its own protected status.

Discover more destinations: Klec, Český Rudolec, Blato, Velký Ratmírov, Popelín, Lodhéřov, Polště, Slavonice

For the regional travel overview: Jindřichův Hradec District.