Klatovy: History, Glass Art and Walking Routes

Klatovy offers several distinct highlights to consider when planning your trip: Jesuit architectural and burial history, glass art, the annual folklore festival, and walking routes and viewpoints. If you’re looking for a hotel in Klatovy, first consider whether you want your trip to coincide with an event or whether history and walks will shape your stay.

Jesuit History and Glass Art

The catacombs lie beneath the Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary and St. Ignatius, as well as the Jesuit Grammar School. They were built between 1656 and 1676 as a burial place for members of the Jesuit order and their benefactors. Construction of the Jesuit church began in 1656; the master builders were Dominik Orsi and Carlo Lurago. This site therefore brings both the catacombs’ burial function and the church’s architectural history into focus.

You’ll find another facet of the city’s culture in the gardens next to the Dr. Hostaš Museum of Local History: the Klatovy Glass Pavilion is located there. It houses more than 500 exhibits and is considered Europe’s largest publicly accessible collection of products from the Lötz glassworks. The collection may change. In contrast to the church and catacombs, the focus here shifts to glass products from the Lötz glassworks.

Folklore Festival in July

The International Folklore Festival in Klatovy takes place annually on the second weekend of July. The program includes around 20 folklore performances, as well as a craft market and a pilgrimage market. Admission to the entire event is free. The festival is a clear seasonal anchor for your travel dates; check the specific dates for your travel year.

Walks, Elevation Changes and Views

The nature trail at Černá věž is steep, has many stairs and involves a substantial elevation change. Six stops cover the history of Klatovy’s best-known monument. By contrast, the Klatovský walking circuit is a 12 km loop that you can also walk in sections; you can start anywhere along it. This lets you choose between the stair-filled nature trail and a longer loop with a flexible starting point.

At Lesopark Hůrka, you can go for a walk, relax or take part in sports activities. For views, head to the viewpoint behind St. Martin’s Church or the observation tower built in place of St. Anne’s Chapel. Both offer lovely views of part of the Šumava Mountains. For a stay that includes time outdoors as well as cultural destinations, Hůrka offers a different kind of highlight.

Carnation growing is also part of local history: Klatovy has been associated with this tradition since the 19th century. It adds a horticultural aspect to the city’s architectural and artistic themes.

Discover more destinations: Srní, Černíkov, Vrhaveč, Dlažov, Domoraz, Švihov U Klatov, Mezihoří, Kolinec

For the broader travel overview: Klatovy District.