Saar: Cultural History and Routes in Žďár nad Sázavou

For a trip to Saar (Žďár nad Sázavou), its architectural and monastic history, along with routes around Zelená Hora, offer concrete ways to explore the area. If you are looking for a hotel in Saar, you can plan your stay around these interests: religious architecture and local history, or hiking trails. The sights and routes offer different perspectives on the town and its history.

Pilgrimage Church and Routes on Zelená Hora

The Pilgrimage Church of St. John of Nepomuk on Zelená Hora is a star-shaped building dating from the early 18th century. Jan Blazej Santini designed it in a distinctive style between Gothic Revival and Baroque. Its star shape and stylistic character give the building a striking architectural profile. The main visitor route leads from the main gate through the pilgrimage grounds to the church. Check access information before your visit.

Route B of the educational trail around Zelená Hora follows wooden walkways through the Louky u Černého lesa nature monument to the Pilgrimage Church. The educational trail’s circular routes are described as accessible and suitable for outings with strollers and small children. This distinguishes two different route options: Route B runs through the nature monument to the church, while the circular routes are the option described for an outing with a stroller or small children. Check local conditions before your visit.

Monastic History and the Town Museum

On a guided tour of Zámek Žďár, stories and architecture bring to life the grounds of the former 13th-century Cistercian monastery. The New Generation Museum presents the 800-year history of the castle and its surroundings as a multimedia exhibition featuring plays of light and shadow, music, and animated stories. While the tour focuses on the grounds and their architecture, the exhibition combines historical themes with different media.

The town’s history also comes to life in exhibitions: the permanent exhibition at Moučkův dům spans the period from the founding of the monastery in 1252 to the town’s turbulent development in the 20th century. Moučkův dům is open year-round except Mondays; check seasonal arrangements before your visit. The Regional Museum is located in Tvrz čp. 276, one of the oldest buildings in Žďár nad Sázavou. The fortress was built in the 14th or 15th century.

Baroque Buildings and a Model Railway

Dolní hřbitov is an architectural monument of Baroque architecture from the early 18th century, designed by Jan Blažej Santini-Aichel. The statues on the Baroque bridge in Žďár nad Sázavou also bear historical dates: chronograms date seven of the eight statues of saints to 1761 and the statue of “sv. Metoděj” to 1766. These two examples show different ways of exploring the town’s architectural history: through the architecture of a monument or the dates of individual figures.

Modelové Království Žďár offers a different way to discover places and landscapes. It is dedicated to building and operating one of the largest model railway layouts in the Czech Republic. It depicts real railway stations, buildings, and landscape features. The railway theme thus complements visits focused on architectural history and exhibitions.

Getting There by Train

Žďár nad Sázavou is on railway line 250, which connects to line 230. The route runs via Prague, Kolín, Golčův Jeníkov, Havlíčkův Brod, Žďár nad Sázavou, and Tišnov to Brno. Check the timetable for your specific journey. When planning, you can consider the train connection and your priorities at the destination separately, without combining the different offerings into a single itinerary.

Discover more destinations: Zubří, Bohdalec, Rudolec, Netín, Spělkov, Stránecká Zhoř, Milasín, Kuklik

Return to the regional travel overview: Okres Žďár Nad Sázavou.