Arcades and sgraffito façades, a mother-of-pearl tradition rooted in the 19th century, and a 765-metre-high peak: Pelhřimov District offers a wide variety of discoveries. Cultural history, crafts and landscape sit side by side, giving your trip several possible focuses.
Architecture and history in Pelhřimov
In the historic centre of Pelhřimov, you’ll encounter Renaissance houses with arcades and sgraffito façades, as well as architecture from the Historicist, Art Nouveau, Cubist and Functionalist periods. The variety of styles makes the town centre a place to discover different architectural influences. Parts of the stone fortification system have survived, and three town gates provide access to the centre.
The exhibitions also explore the town’s history in different ways. Pelhřimov’s prison exhibition focuses on the authenticity of the site and extensive source material. The permanent exhibitions in the Castle of the Lords of Říčany include a collection of works by Josef and Zdeněk Šejnost. In this way, a site-specific historical account and an art collection offer different perspectives on the town’s history.
Crafts and castles
Žirovnice brings together two distinctive aspects of its history: the mother-of-pearl button workshop, which marked the beginning of local button-making, was founded in 1863. The town is known as the Pearl Town for its mother-of-pearl and button-making tradition. The nickname thus has a tangible connection to local crafts. Žirovnice Castle, meanwhile, is distinguished by extensive 15th-century Gothic wall paintings.
Kámen Castle offers a different historical perspective: its original Gothic form reflects the 13th century. Together with Žirovnice’s wall paintings, it shows how different places in Pelhřimov District bring different chapters of the past into focus.
Heights, pilgrimage and seasonal experiences
The landscape around Pelhřimov is considered hilly and is characterised by small chapels, churches and wells. At 765 metres above sea level, Křemešník is the highest peak in the region described here. It is also a pilgrimage site: Calvary and the Church of the Holy Trinity form a place of pilgrimage that developed around a mineral spring.
Experiences on Křemešník vary considerably by season. In summer, the Pípalka observation tower offers views; in winter, there is a ski slope. The rope course also has almost 30 obstacles, including children’s, junior and high ropes courses. Course availability and age suitability may vary seasonally. If you’re planning these activities, check which options are available during your visit.
Another natural feature of the area is the Želivka River, whose source lies in Pelhřimov District. Together with the hilly landscape and its small religious buildings and wells, it adds a geographical perspective to the region’s cultural discoveries.
Želiv: monastery and brewing tradition
The monastery in Želiv is a destination in the Pelhřimov region. The brewery there offers tours where you can learn about the production process and taste a beer. It uses traditional brewing methods and offers classic lagers as well as speciality beers; the range and production methods may change over time. Tour availability and tasting arrangements may also vary, so check before your visit.
Getting there from Prague
As of 11 August 2026, express bus route 401 connected Prague with Pelhřimov. The route ran via Loket, Čechtice and Křelovice; between Prague and Loket, it followed the D1. Check the timetable before travelling to make sure your journey matches the current services.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Dubovice, Vitice, Betlem, Kejzlice, Mnich, Pelhrimov, Vlásenice-Drbohlavy, Horní Cerekev, Hribeci, Cernov, Chystovice, Kletecna, Kojcice, Putimov, Utechovice, Castrov, Cetoraz, Knizata, Kosetice, Nova Cerekev, Sudkuv Dul, Svépravice, Velký Rybník, Cervená Recice, Polesi, Trsov, Popelistna, Hodejovice, Senozaty, Dobra Voda U Pacova, Krasonov, Chyšná, Želiv, Humpolec, Černovice, Kaliště U Humpolce, Křešín, Ondřejov U Pelhřimova, Dehtáře, Žirovnice, Božejov, Bohdalín, Bořetín, Mezilesí U Pelhřimova, Jankov U Pelhřimova, Ježov Nad Želivkou, Kámen U Pacova, Vyklantice, Koberovice, Křeč, Křelovice, Libkova Voda, Lukavec, Mladé Bříště, Obrataň, Píšť, Samšín, Rynárec, Leškovice, Těmice, Velká Chyška, Řečice U Humpolce, Buřenice, Bácovice, Pacov, Lidmaň, Bořetice, Vyskytná, Bratřice, Budíkov, Bystrá, Čáslavsko, Zachotín, Čejov, Čelistná, Čížkov, Hořice U Humpolce, Důl, Eš, Počátky, Hojanovice, Hojovice, Horní Rápotice, Horní Ves, Onšov, Olešná U Pelhřimova, Jiřice U Humpolce, Komorovice, Krasíkovice, Lhota-Vlasenice, Salačova Lhota, Martinice U Onšova, Mezná U Pelhřimova, Mysletín, Pošná, Nová Buková, Pavlov U Rynárce, Proseč U Humpolce, Proseč Pod Křemešníkem, Rodinov, Rovná U Hořepníku, Sedlice, Staré Bříště, Stojčín, Střítež Pod Křemešníkem, Syrov, Těchobuz, Ústrašín, Útěchovice Pod Stražištěm, Včelnička, Veselá, Vojslavice, Vokov, Vysoká Lhota, Vystrkov, Zajíčkov, Zhořec, Zlátenka, Žirov, Zmišovice, Starý Smrdov, Kamenice Nad Lipou, Dobrá Voda, Nový Rychnov, Kaliště, Hořepník, Nová Cerekev.
For the broader travel overview: Jihlava.
