Arnolec lies in a gentle hollow below the wooded rise of Arnolecké hory and also on its southern slopes below Havlina. The old trade route called Uherská ran through the village. The landscape setting and historic road name offer two different ways to explore the village’s history: a view of the highlands and one of a former transport connection.

Chapels and Memorial Sites

The Chapel of St. Wendelin in Arnolec is Neo-Romanesque and was built in 1874. It was restored from 2004 to 2007. Its construction date, style and restoration offer different points of reference: the style places the building in context, while the dates distinguish its construction from its later renovation.

The Chapel of St. Anne was built in the 1670s–1680s and was fully restored in 2019. It stands in the fields south of Arnolec, about half a kilometre east of the village. Compared with St. Wendelin, it dates from an earlier period; the two chapels can be distinguished by their dates and restoration histories.

The memorial plaque to Josef Toufar was unveiled on 20 October 1991. It adds a distinct form of commemoration to the chapels’ architectural history, anchored to a specific date.

The expiatory cross known as “Baba” is, according to local tradition, a memorial to the violent death of a courier on the then road from Bohemia to Moravia. It stands on the road between Stáj and Arnolec, about 1 km from Arnolec. A frequently travelled route associated with the cross was also called “U kamenného kříže.” Arnolec is thus associated both with a named historic trade route and with a local tradition about a courier’s route.

Protected Area and Cycling Route

The Rychtářský rybník area is a protected area designated as a PP in the cadastral area of Arnolec. It is home to a large population of the specially protected plant species Puchýřka útlá (Coleanthus subtilis). This adds a clear nature conservation aspect alongside the chapels and memorial sites. When choosing a trip, you can therefore consider sacred and local history on the one hand, and a named protected area with its protected plant species on the other.

A 2022 description of the “Přejezd Arnoleckých hor” cycling route takes it through Arnolec and Stáj; it then reaches the ridge of Arnolecké hory. The description also lists Josef Toufar’s birthplace in Arnolec as a tourist attraction. Road and trail conditions may vary. If you plan to take the route, check the current conditions before setting out.

The points of interest in the area can be grouped by interest: the chapels, memorial plaque and expiatory cross offer insight into architectural and commemorative history; the protected area represents nature conservation, while the cycling route offers a specific activity. This can help you decide which of these themes will shape your trip to Arnolec.

Discover more destinations: Dyjice, Volevčice, Kaliště U Horních Dubenek, Sedlatice, Batelov, Pavlov, Opatov, Vápovice

For the broader travel overview: Okres Jihlava.