Those who take local history into account when choosing a destination will find several distinct points of interest in Veselý Žďár. The Freedom Monument, the monument to the fallen of the First World War and the Chapel of St. Wenceslas represent different cultural themes. They do not tell the same story: the Freedom Monument concerns liberation and a wartime interruption, while the monument to the fallen is about remembrance and later reconstruction. The chapel combines its religious dedication with a setting among trees. This lets you choose Veselý Žďár based on specific interests and distinguish between its local themes when planning your trip.
The Freedom Monument: unveiling and re-erection
The Freedom Monument was unveiled in commemoration of liberation on 28 October 1919, on the village green by the pond in front of Mr. Kubáta’s inn. Local stonemason Jan Krupička, from house no. 86, carved it from a broken granite block. During the Second World War, the monument had to be removed and dismantled on the gendarmerie’s orders; it was stored at Karel Pecha’s, at house no. 82. It was re-erected on 28 October 1946 at 2 p.m. The same calendar date thus marks both its unveiling and its return, while the intervening years were defined by its removal and storage. This sequence brings its original dedication and the later interruption into view together.
Two forms of remembrance
The monument to the fallen of the First World War is a separate point of interest. It was reconstructed in 2001 to a design by Ing. arch. Voigstová. Different forms of remembrance thus come together in Veselý Žďár: the history of the Freedom Monument includes its unveiling, wartime storage and re-erection, while reconstruction is the central historical reference for the monument to the fallen. Those interested in local history can use these differences as a guiding thread, rather than combining both monuments into a single, general account of remembrance.
The Chapel of St. Wenceslas beneath four lime trees
The Chapel of St. Wenceslas stands beneath the crowns of four lime trees. In 1933, it was repaired using the proceeds of a house-to-house collection and consecrated again. The chapel therefore combines a specific description of its setting with a precisely dated event in its history. The repairs and renewed consecration sit alongside its dedication to St. Wenceslas; the four lime trees define the setting described. For travellers wishing to include local religious history alongside monuments, the chapel is a distinct subject in Veselý Žďár’s historical profile.
Arboretum, school garden and nature
Natural features also complement the cultural and historical themes. An arboretum now stands where poplars once grew; there is also a shelter in the school garden. The arboretum connects with the area’s former tree cover, while the shelter is part of the school garden. A municipal newsletter from 2025 also mentions a white-tailed eagle nesting in the cadastral area of Veselý Žďár. This adds a nature theme to local history, distinct from the architectural and historical points of interest.
Pilgrimage and travel planning
Traditionally, assistance with catering is provided during the pilgrimage in Veselý Žďár. If you would like to tie your stay to this occasion, check the dates before planning your trip. The pilgrimage offers a different point of connection from the dated histories of the monuments: for planning purposes, what matters is whether the occasion falls during your stay. This way, Veselý Žďár can be explored through local history, religious heritage and nature without treating these different themes as one and the same.
Discover more destinations: Stříbrné Hory, Nejepín, Sedletín, Horní Paseka, Rušinov, Podmoky, Skuhrov, Vilémovec
For the broader travel overview: Havlíčkův Brod District.
