Stáj: Routes, History and Landscape

Stáj combines a historic border location with trails, landscape features and cultural heritage sites. When planning your trip, pay particular attention to the Via-Czechia route and the conditions on the blue-marked hiking section. The village’s history and the chapel’s architectural features add specific local points of interest to the geographic landmarks.

Location and landscape of Stáj

Stáj lies near the historic border between Bohemia and Moravia. The area south of the village is bounded by the European Elbe–Danube watershed. The border and the watershed are two distinct reference points for understanding the geography of the surrounding area.

At 617 metres above sea level, Na Vrchu is the highest point in the area around Stáj and is less than a kilometre from the village. A stream flows through the middle of Stáj and is dammed to form several small ponds. These ponds serve as firefighting water reservoirs. Together, a nearby high point and a watercourse running through the village illustrate different features of the landscape.

Trails and route conditions

The Via-Czechia Českomoravská Trail passes through Stáj and turns away from the historic border towards Polná. The blue-marked hiking section between Stáj and Polná is difficult to walk and completely impassable by bicycle. Check the current conditions on this section before setting out.

There is a shelter on the Stáj–Ochozský potok section. Route conditions and infrastructure may change; check the latest information about both before setting out. If food supplies and bus connections matter to your trip planning, also check their current availability in Stáj before departure.

Early local history and Francouzské šance

The first written mention of the already established village of Stáj dates from 1298. The original settlement is thought to have been founded in the 13th century through the colonisation efforts of the Benedictine monastery in Třebíč. The written mention and the presumed date of its founding provide two different chronological reference points for the village’s early history.

Earthworks are still visible in the forest at Francouzské šance, beside the road towards Polná. According to local tradition, guard troops set up camp near Stáj by the main road; the site is known as Francouzské šance. Here, a visible feature of the terrain meets a local story about the area’s history.

The Chapel of Saint John of Nepomuk

Dedicated to Saint John of Nepomuk, the chapel stands on a low hill criss-crossed by stone cellars. It is late Baroque, with a square floor plan, corner pilaster strips, a tented roof, an open lantern and a finial. These architectural features range from the building’s layout to its individual components, offering a tangible way to explore the village’s architectural history.

Corner pilaster strips are flat decorative divisions on the building’s corners; the square floor plan describes the shape of the building. Together with the tented roof and open lantern, these are architectural details that help describe the chapel. The hill and its stone cellars add the chapel’s distinctive location to this architectural context.

If you are looking for a hotel for a stay in Stáj, you can weigh the routes, local history and landscape as different interests when planning your trip. For specific outings, the conditions on each section are particularly relevant; for travel arrangements, check the latest information on bus connections and food supplies.

Discover more destinations: Řásná, Kostelní Myslová, Vílanec, Stará Říše, Knínice, Dvorce, Doupě, Hodice

View the regional travel overview: Jihlava District.