Stáj brings together the historic border between Bohemia and Moravia, a late Baroque chapel, traces of local history, and routes with varying conditions. Two perspectives can help you choose the village as a destination: its history and practical route planning. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Stáj, you can consider in advance whether cultural history or particular stretches of trail should shape your stay.

Village History and Landscape

The first written mention of the already-established village of Stáj dates to 1298. The original settlement was probably founded in the 13th century through the colonisation efforts of the Benedictine monastery in Třebíč. The village therefore already existed when it was first mentioned in writing; its establishment in the 13th century remains a probable dating.

Stáj lies near the historic provincial border between Bohemia and Moravia. The area south of Stáj is bounded by the European Elbe–Danube watershed. At 617 metres above sea level, Na Vrchu is the highest point in the area around Stáj and lies less than a kilometre from the village. A stream flows through the centre of Stáj and is dammed by several small ponds, which serve as firefighting water reservoirs. The watershed on a large scale and the bodies of water in the village centre thus represent different aspects of the landscape.

The Chapel and Local Tradition

The chapel dedicated to Saint John of Nepomuk stands on a low rise riddled with stone cellars. The late Baroque building has a square ground plan, corner pilaster strips, a tent roof, an open lantern, and a finial. The pilaster strips articulate the corners of the building; the roof structure draws the eye from the tent roof to the lantern and finial. These architectural features can be traced from the ground plan to the top of the structure.

At Francouzské šance, earthworks are still visible in the forest beside the road towards Polná. According to local tradition, guard troops set up a camp near Stáj beside the highway; the site is known as Francouzské šance. The earthworks and the tradition offer different points of reference: a visible landform and a local story about a camp.

Routes and Practical Planning

The Via Czechia Českomoravská stezka route passes through Stáj and turns away from the historic border towards Polná. There is a specific warning for the blue-marked hiking section between Stáj and Polná: it is difficult to walk and completely impassable by bicycle. Check current conditions before setting out. The restriction is clear when deciding between walking and cycling: the section is difficult on foot and impassable by bicycle.

There is a shelter on the Stáj–Ochozský potok section. Since route infrastructure can change, check the latest information about this section before travelling. If your accommodation or route planning depends on a bus connection or food supplies, also check their current availability in Stáj in advance.

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