This calm Czech town has a UNESCO-listed pilgrimage church designed by Santini-Aichel, surrounded by hiking trails in the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands.
Žďár nad Sázavou, home to 21,000 residents in the Vysočina Region, sits among the hills of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands. The Pilgrimage Church of Saint John of Nepomuk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site designed by Jan Santini Aichel, dominates the skyline with its geometric white-and-gold structure. You can explore a 13th-century Cistercian monastery redesigned as a castle with hands-on exhibits, walk through a historic square centered on a Renaissance town hall, or follow trails around the Pilská Reservoir, a man-made lake popular for swimming. Located roughly halfway between Prague and Brno, the town blends factories with forests and fishponds, shaped by centuries of monastic and industrial activity.
Pilgrimage Church of Saint John of Nepomuk
Jan Santini Aichel completed this church in 1722 on Zelená hora (Green Mountain), using the number five as a recurring motif to honor Saint John’s martyrdom. Five chapels form a star-shaped layout, connected by arches with Gothic rib vaulting and Baroque decorative elements. Sunlight filters through star-patterned windows, casting intricate shadows across the interior. To reach the site, follow the 1.5 km path from the town center uphill, where you’ll see views of the Sázava River valley. UNESCO added the church to its list in 1994, recognizing its unique blend of architectural styles.
Žďár nad Sázavou Castle and New Generation Museum
The castle began as a Cistercian monastery in the 13th century, rebuilt in Baroque style after a fire in 1689. Today, interactive displays guide you through eight centuries of history, including medieval fish farming methods used in the monastery’s ponds. One exhibit highlights Baroque sculptures from Santini’s workshops, while another traces the Kinský family’s role in restoring the castle after 1991. Visit the Church of the Assumption of Our Lady to see Santini’s organ lofts framing a Gothic altar carved in the 1300s. The museum is located at Zámek 8/8, 591 02.
Historic Town Center
The Old Town Hall anchors the main square with its Renaissance core and Neoclassical facade added in the 18th century. Climb the 16th-century tower of the Church of Saint Procopius for views over red-roofed houses, or step inside to see late Gothic stonework. Nearby, the Chapel of Saint Barbara displays oval domes and detailed stucco from its 1729 construction. A stone plague column from 1706 stands near cafes serving traditional pastries. From the square, follow cobblestone lanes to the Sázava River, where footbridges lead to riverside walking paths.
Pilská Reservoir and Natural Areas
Built in 1962 to prevent floods, the Pilská Reservoir now draws visitors with swimming areas, rowboat rentals, and a 9 km trail circling its perimeter. Anglers fish for pike and carp here, particularly in early morning. South of town, a wooden boardwalk winds through the Konventský pond wetlands, passing birdwatching hides. In late May, the Louky u Černého Lesa meadows fill with purple orchids. Hikers can follow red trail markers into the Žďárské vrchy hills, where granite boulders and beech forests line the paths.
Industry and Modern Life
Factories like ŽĎAS, a machinery plant founded in 1951, drive the local economy alongside automotive and furniture suppliers. Post-war apartment blocks dominate the eastern districts, though recent upgrades have added bike lanes and playgrounds. Stop by the Cultural House on Neumannova Street to view a model railway replicating local landmarks. Evenings often see residents at riverside pubs such as U Černého Medvěda, ordering dishes like beef svíčková with dumplings. The town’s rhythm remains unhurried, with few crowds outside summer festivals.
Getting to Žďár nad Sázavou
Direct trains from Prague’s main station take 2.5 hours, stopping in Havlíčkův Brod along the way. From Brno, take Highway D1 northwest and exit at 119. The town is walkable, but renting a bike simplifies trips to Zelená hora or the reservoir. Paid parking near the castle costs 30 CZK per hour. Regional buses run to Telč, known for its Renaissance square, and Třebíč, home to a museum documenting the area’s industrial past.
