Petrovice II: Church, Glassworks and Observation Tower

Petrovice II brings together several distinct points of interest for a stay: the architectural history of the Church of St. Martin, archaeological evidence from the settlement’s earlier history, and an observation tower with a technical history. The area and neighboring settlements are also characterized by extensive woodland. If you are looking for a hotel in Petrovice II, you can decide whether you are primarily interested in architectural history and archaeological finds, or in the character of a wooded recreational landscape. The following sections explore these topics through specific examples.

The Church of St. Martin and its architectural history

The Church of St. Martin stands on the edge of Petrovice II, in the direction of Uhlířské Janovice. It dates from 1350 and is an early Gothic building. The vault in the presbytery, the area around the altar, also survives and dates from 1544. The dates therefore refer to different aspects: 1350 to the church and 1544 to a surviving architectural feature. The term “early Gothic” describes the architectural classification and does not replace the later date of the vault.

The cemetery is home to a wooden bell tower that has been repaired several times. According to an inscription on its base, it dates from 1659. Thus, the dates 1350 and 1544 refer to the church and its vault, respectively, while 1659 refers to the bell tower.

The fortress and Stará Huť glassworks

The deep cellars beneath farmhouse No. 1 provide important evidence of the former fortress of Petrovice II. This is a different kind of clue to the settlement’s history than the dated church buildings: here, an underground part of a building points to the former fortress.

The site of the Stará Huť glassworks in Petrovice II is classified as a significant archaeological site. The surviving remains include the foundations of the production hall, measuring 14.7 × 13 meters. The stone structure of a cooling furnace also survives there, to a height of nearly two meters. These measurements describe different things: the hall’s dimensions refer to its ground plan, while the furnace measurement gives the height of the surviving stone structure.

Observation tower: technical history and visiting

The observation tower was built by Český Mobil as a transmission mast in 2004. It was opened to the public in spring 2005. This sequence distinguishes its original technical purpose from its later public use. The main observation platform is 30 meters high and can be reached via 158 spiral staircase steps. Both the height and the number of steps are useful points of reference when planning a visit. Check the latest access information before visiting.

Wooded surroundings

Petrovice II and the neighboring settlements are situated in a wooded area used mainly for recreation by owners of weekend and holiday homes. The landscape’s recreational use is therefore part of the area’s character, alongside its historic buildings. When choosing your destination, you can weigh both aspects: the specific architectural and archaeological sites, and the wooded character of the recreational area.

Discover more destinations: Zruc Nad Sázavou, Hraběšín, Třebonín, Hlízov, Zbraslavice, Opatovice I, Drobovice, Žehušice

For the broader travel overview: Okres Kutná Hora.