Discover Kašperské Hory: Gold History, Churches and Šumava Nature

The Kašperské Hory branch of the historic Zlatá stezka was its youngest branch. It was established in the mid-14th century on the orders of Emperor Charles IV and ran from Kašperské Hory via Kvilda and Freyung to Passau.

The historic gold ore-processing facility in Kašperské Hory was founded after the discoveries around the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries. It was used for roasting gold ore, which could then be transported onwards to crushing facilities and gold mills.

Culture and History

The Muzeum Šumavy features a collection of Late Gothic sculptures, with works dating from around the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries. The Muzeum Šumavy also has a permanent natural history exhibition covering zoology, botany, geology and nature conservation. Its historical exhibition also includes evidence of gold mining and gold processing in the Šumava region.

Kostel sv. Markéty is a three-nave Gothic basilica built in the mid-14th century, with a Baroque interior dating from the 18th century. Kostel sv. Mikuláše is located 1.5 km from the town centre and contains Early Gothic frescoes as well as a painted beamed ceiling from 1700.

The cabinet nativity scene of Kašperské Hory was hand-carved and painted by local woodcarvers and is displayed year-round in the town hall exhibition room.

Those who wish to explore the town’s history in greater depth can approach it from several angles: the trade route provides a temporal and spatial perspective, churches preserve different architectural and decorative periods, and museum collections bring together art, natural history, gold mining and gold processing.

Nature and Landscape

The Kašperské Hory Information Centre introduces visitors to the nature of Šumava National Park and the Šumava Protected Landscape Area. The information centre’s permanent exhibition focuses on water in the Šumava landscape and covers peat bogs, wetlands, glacial lakes and waterways, as well as their importance for retaining water in the landscape.

During the summer season, the Kašperské Hory Information Centre mainly organises excursions focusing on botany and birdwatching.

The Czech section of the historic Zlatá stezka is equipped with information boards.

The various areas of focus can be weighted differently when planning: culture and history complement natural history, the water landscape and seasonal excursions. Historic routes add a temporal and spatial perspective to these topics.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Kašperské Hory, travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions may each have different importance. These details can be compared separately with your own travel plans, while the town’s culture provides the thematic framework for your stay. The areas of focus can also be compared with one another: museums and churches represent art, architectural history and gold processing, while natural history, the water landscape and the summer excursions provide different thematic accents. The historic route complements this selection by connecting places, history and signposted route information.

Directly linked places include Podlesi. Other places in the same higher-level area are Modrava, Slatina, Annín, Maňovice, Horní Staňkov, Běhařov and Velký Bor.

To the higher-level travel overview: Klatovy District.