Zbraslav: Culture, Havlín and Ways by the Water

Zbraslav combines historical heritage, distinctive buildings and paths by the water into a varied travel destination. On Havlín Hill stands Karlův stánek, a brick viewing pavilion. Several paths lead directly from Zbraslavské náměstí up the hill. Those travelling with different interests can include culture, landscape and a section of the Way of St. James in their plans. A holiday apartment in Zbraslav is therefore particularly appealing if you want to discover the town not merely as a place to stay overnight, but as a starting point for a variety of explorations.

Cultural history around Zbraslav Château

Zbraslav Château was originally a Cistercian monastery founded by King Václav II in 1292. In 1995, the château was declared a national cultural monument. At the same time, it is important for your travel planning to note that the château’s interiors are currently not open to the public. The history of the place can therefore mainly be explored through the preserved exterior areas, the château park and other buildings in Zbraslav.

A promenade terrace above a side arm of the Berounka has been preserved in the château park. Other areas of the park were designed in the English style. The château park also contains a collection of sculptures from the Národní galerie. This makes the park a worthwhile destination in its own right for anyone who wants to alternate between historical subjects and peaceful landscapes. The combination of park design and art also provides families with topics for conversation, without limiting the visit to a single attraction.

Havlín and the glass altar

Havlín Hill is an archaeological monument and brings together several independent points of interest. The glass altar Skleněný oltář is located on the hill near the Church of St. Gallus. It was installed in the former ossuary in December 2021 and was created by the artist Vladimíra Tesařová. The altar can be viewed from outside through a barred window during the cemetery’s opening hours. You should take this specific arrangement into account when planning your day.

Havlín is easily accessible via several paths directly from Zbraslavské náměstí. During a stay in Zbraslav, the hill can therefore be combined with the château park or a cultural tour, without presenting the individual places as an unsupported shared route. Those interested in archaeology, religious history or unusual works of art will find various reasons to visit here.

The Way of St. James and distinctive religious buildings

The Way of St. James runs along the Vltava River to Zbraslav. In Zbraslav, it passes with a stop at the local Church of St. James the Greater. The Zbraslav parish is happy to provide pilgrims travelling to Compostela with a church stamp. In addition to its heritage-related themes, the town therefore also has significance for travellers journeying along the pilgrimage route.

Another prominent attraction is Husův sbor. It was created in 1938–1939 by converting a former aristocratic granary according to a design by the architect Stanislav Vachata. The building has a 30-metre-high tower topped by an octagon with a symbolic chalice. Husův sbor also contains a portable Renaissance altar originally created for the monastery church of St. James in Zbraslav. These details make the building an independent stop for a culture-focused stay.

Which accommodation suits your travel plans?

When looking for accommodation in Zbraslav, you can first determine the focus of your trip. If you want to combine château history, park art and religious buildings, cultural themes will be at the centre. If you plan to follow the Way of St. James or paths along the Vltava, the accommodation’s location in the town becomes more important as a starting point for planning your days. Havlín Hill adds an archaeological monument, a viewing pavilion and the glass altar to this selection. This allows you to choose your holiday apartment according to the character of your desired trip and then arrange the individual experiences independently.

More destinations for your search

If you would like to continue your search beyond Zbraslav, you can find other selected places here: Újezd Nad Lesy, Nusle, Prague 10, Hloubětín, Komořany, Prague 3, Prague 2, Prague 7.

To the higher-level travel overview: Prague.