In Nížkov, a layered church history and striking reminders of local life meet practical opportunities for cycling trips. The Church of St. Nicholas and the neighbouring ossuary tell stories of different historical periods. A municipal cycling loop passes through several named places and returns to Nížkov. This makes cultural history and a tour of the surrounding area distinct options to focus on during a stay.
Church and Ossuary: Several Historical Layers
The Church of St. Nicholas was built around 1245 in the Early Gothic style on the site of a wooden church. It was remodelled in the Baroque and Neoclassical styles in 1753–1754, when a Baroque nave was added. The church’s furnishings include a wooden Renaissance baptismal font dating from around 1600. Its building history thus encompasses both its medieval origins and a later transformation, along with an item of church furnishing from another century.
The Nížkov ossuary stands beside the west façade of the Church of St. Nicholas and dates from 1709. It contains four stacks of skulls and bones belonging to almost 8,000 people. Examination of seven samples from the ossuary found that six date to the Middle Ages, including the 13th century and the period 1307–1363. The church and ossuary stand right next to each other, but their histories differ considerably: the ossuary was built in a different period from the church’s Early Gothic construction and its 18th-century remodelling.
Wayside Shrines, Crosses and More Local History
A small wayside shrine dating from 1748 stands on the road to Sázava and is an example of folk Baroque. A similar shrine had stood in Nížkov since 1741. A marble cross now stands on the original base of the destroyed shrine. The two shrines can be placed in their historical context without mistaking them for the same monument. There is also a statue of St. John of Nepomuk, dating from 1869, in front of the old rectory. Several stone crosses can be found in the area around Nížkov, most of them dating from the 18th and 19th centuries.
The stone bridge over the Nížkovský potok is also part of local history. Built in 1889, it lies 100 metres below the village square in the direction of Polná. Near Nížkov, Červený mlýn has a working water turbine for generating electricity. Together with the religious monuments, it adds a technical landmark to the picture of the area.
Cycling Routes with Different Itineraries
A municipal excursion recommendation from 2026 describes the 21.5-kilometre cycling loop “Rozhledna Rosička – cyklo-stezka 19 – bukové arboretum”. It runs from Nížkov via Rosička, Sázava, Ronov, Olešenka and Buková, then back to Nížkov. The route also climbs Rosičský kopec, at 645 metres, where there is a lookout tower. Its length, circular course and named stops give this tour a clear framework for planning.
Cycle route 4336 Dobronín–Nížkov–Sázava offers a different option. It runs through the cadastral area of the municipality of Nížkov and connects the three named places. Unlike the 21.5-kilometre loop, it is described as a connection between Dobronín, Nížkov and Sázava. One question to consider when planning is whether you prefer a ride that returns to Nížkov or a route between named places.
The municipality also offers the publication “Okolím Nížkova na kole a pěšky”, with excursion tips for walking and cycling. It is available at the municipal office; if you would like to use it for your planning, check its availability there in advance.
A Natural Destination on the Sázava
The natural rock formation Žlutá skála lies on the left bank of the Sázava, about 1.5 kilometres upstream from Nížkov railway station. This natural destination provides a separate point of interest in the surrounding area, alongside the historic sites and cycling routes.
Discover more destinations: Sklené, Brezi Nad Oslavou, Hodíškov, Javorek, Sklené Nad Oslavou, Březské, Radenice, Polnička.
For the broader travel overview: Žďár nad Sázavou District.
