Malčín: Glassmaking History and Hiking Route

When planning a stay in Malčín, the village’s history and the route can be considered as two main themes. The village combines a documented mention from the 14th century with the historic glassmaking in Dobrá Voda and a route that passes Žižkova studánka.

Village History and Remembrance

Malčín was first documented in 1358 and belonged to Vilémov Monastery at the time. These two details—the date and its former affiliation—offer a concrete starting point for exploring the village’s history. Another historical reference is the great border forest, on the edge of which Malčín was built. Until the 14th century, the forest separated Bohemia from Moravia. This brings together two distinct historical perspectives: the village’s early written mention and the landscape’s significance as a border between the lands.

The war memorial in Malčín bears the names of local residents who died for their country in the war. It offers a distinct way to explore the village’s history, separate from the references to the border and glassmaking: the focus here is on the individual residents and their remembrance.

The Historic Hoglova huť

The historic Hoglova huť was located in Dobrá Voda near Malčín; J. J. Hogle founded it in 1723. It produced clear glass and non-decolourised glass, known as forest glass. Its product range included beakers, goblets, small bottles, and beer and wine glasses. The glassworks can therefore be understood through two different aspects: the types of glass and the specific objects made there.

Žižkova studánka and the Route

The route “From the chateau in Světlá via Dobrá Voda to Josefodol” passes through Malčín after Žižkova studánka. The spring lies about 450 metres north of Dobrá Voda, a settlement within the municipality of Malčín, on a marked forest path with yellow trail blazes. Both names are therefore important for orientation: Dobrá Voda as the reference point for the distance and Malčín as the municipality. The spring is also associated with a local legend: Jan Žižka is said to have stopped there while fleeing from King Sigismund. This is a legend, not a verified historical event.

The route description continues beyond the spring: it then leads through Malčín; beyond the village, an unmarked path goes to Vlčkův mlýn. Thus, two different navigational situations occur along this section: the marked forest path at the spring and the unmarked path beyond the village. Check the route and trail conditions on site if you plan to continue this way, as markings and trail conditions may change.

Discover more destinations: Uhelná Příbram, Kunemil, Čachotín, Kraborovice, Havlickuv Brod, Úsobí, Lípa, Chřenovice

For the broader travel overview: Okres Havlíčkův Brod.