Pelhřimov
Pelhřimov is a small district capital (16,000 people) in Vysočina with a nice town square and historical centre. With a fountain in the middle of the square and historical buildings around it is a beautiful place to stop when travelling from the highway (exit 90 - Humpolec) towards České Budějovice.
Pelhřimov is a venue of the international festival “Pelhřimov – the City of Records”. The town centre is beautiful, very compact and the surrounding country is a great place to take a bike or just ride around during sunny summer days.
Understand
Get in
By bus or train
The 1 buses go regularly, many times a day, find one at IDOS
The 2 train connection is not as good, from Prague you have to go through Tábor.
From Prague by car
Take the D1 highway towards Brno and exit at km 86 (Humpolec), after exit turn left and follow the road. After approx 15 kilometers you are in Pelhřimov
Get around
You can walk around Pelhřimov on foot, as everything there is so close. You can get a taxi, ask at the hotel or locals to give you a phone number. The taxis are very cheap there.
By bicycle=
Because Pelhřimov is located in this beautiful highlands of Vysočina, you will definitely enjoy taking a bike and spending an afternoon in nature.
See
Historical town square has beautiful houses and a fountain in the middle. You can do some small shopping at the square. Visit the church tower for a scenic view of the town.
- 1 Chateau of the Lords of Ricany. It hosts the Museum of Vysočina (the region name).
- 2 Church of St Bartholomew. A Gothic building founded in the 13th/14th century. The main Baroque altar and beautiful Calvary, designed by Frantisek Bilek, is inside the church.
- 3 St. Vitus Church. Oldest church in Pelhrimov and the former parish church. The vaulting and walls of the church interior show scenes from the life and martyr’s death of St. Vitus, as well as allegories of Faith, Hope and Charity. Nowadays the church is used as an exhibition and concert hall.
- 4 Church of the Holy Cross (Calvary).
- Chapel of the Virgin Dolores.
- 5 Lower (Jihlava) Gatehouse. The 5-storey, 36-metre-high gatehouse was built in the 16th century as part of the fortification system. The Museum of Records and Curiosities resides here, a unique institution of this kind in Central Europe.
- 6 Upper (Rynarec) Gatehouse. Just like the Lower Gatehouse, the Upper Gatehouse was built in the 16th century.
- 7 Fountain with the statue of St. James. First mentioned in 1546, but the current appearance of the fountain dates to 1848. On top of the column stands a statue of St. James, in a pilgrim’s garment, decorated with shells and with a hat.
- 8 Municipal Theatre. The original salt-house from 1707 burned down during a great fire. In 1882 foundations were laid for the town theatre (the National House).
- 9 House of the Srejnar Family (Šrejnarovský dům). The north-western corner of the square is dominated by house No 10, named after the rich merchant Krystof Srejnar. The house was built in 1614 in the Renaissance style. It houses a tourist information center and the Memorial Hall of the Lipský Family.
- 10 Fara House. This house has Baroque facade and a Mansard roof, rebuilt in early 19th century in the Cubist style.
- Drechsel´s Villa. Built in the Cubist style in early 19th century.
- 11 Ruins of St. Anna. A chapel founded in 1699, originally was dedicated to the Transfiguration of Our Lord. After being demolished by the communist regime, only the perimeter walls are left.
Do
Buy
Do not expect to go shopping in Pelhřimov. You can go buy food and the basic things there, but no designer fashion stores or malls around.
Drink
Stop for a coffee in a cafe Atelier where the locals meet.
Eat
For good food around go to Motel Farma Poříčí, (on the road from Humpolec to Pelhřimov - approx. 2 km before Pelhřimov) where you can rent high quality rooms. This motel is located in nature with lots of space around, a farm, etc. The best place around to sleep and eat.
Sleep
- Hotel Slavie on the town square, with a restaurant downstairs (not good) and Pizzeria upstairs (not good). The rooms should be clean.
- Penzion Lucerna is near the town square and is said to be nice and clean. Ask the locals where to find these.