Annín – Glass History, Churches and Nature Trail

Annín is a place where glass history, sacred architecture and nature-related discoveries come together within a compact thematic area. Particularly characteristic is Sklárna Annín: its history dates back to 1796, while visitors can see original glass products there and get creative themselves. This glassmaking experience is complemented by churches and historical landmarks above the village, as well as by a geological and nature-oriented trail.

Glass History at Sklárna Annín

Sklárna Annín was founded in 1796 by Augustin Muller from Vatětice to produce crystal glass and small glass beads. These beads are called Pateříky. Visitors can see original Czech lead crystal with traditional and modern patterns, the museum, the sales area and the glassworks at Sklárna Annín. A visit therefore presents both the historical side of glassmaking and its various design possibilities.

A particularly vivid experience is the opportunity to choose your own decoration and blow an original glass object yourself. This means that your stay in Annín can be experienced through more than simply viewing exhibitions and products: you can also connect your own object with the local glassmaking tradition.

Mouřenec and the Schmid Chapel

Above Annín lies Mouřenec with the Church of Saint Mauritius, one of the oldest churches in Šumava. It was built after 1220 in the late Romanesque style. In 1993, rare 14th-century wall paintings were discovered inside and subsequently restored. On the northern side of the cemetery there is also a Baroque ossuary from the 18th century. The church, wall paintings and ossuary thus offer several historical perspectives within the same locality.

Another testament to the history of glassmaking is the Neo-Gothic Schmid Chapel with the Schmid family crypt. It stands at the edge of the forest above the Annín glassworks. Glass products incorporated into its interior are regarded as valuable evidence of the history of glassmaking in Annín and elsewhere in Šumava. Access is described specifically for orientation on site: from the car park by the glassworks, you can reach the chapel either by going uphill across a meadow or via an unmarked turn-off from the road to Mouřenec.

Fortification History and Nature Trail

The Annín Museum of Light Fortification Construction focuses on a different subject. It is located in an atypical bunker on a rock above the main road from Sušice to Kašperské Hory. It covers the reasons for constructing Czechoslovak pre-war fortifications, the combat system of the fortifications, and their wartime and post-war fates.

The Radešovské skály nature trail also leads from Annín. Its focus is on geological and nature-related topics, complementing the cultural and historical destinations with another way to explore the surrounding area.

More Destinations

For further research, you can also view Vřeskovice, Dlažov, Šimanov, Křenice, Mezihoří, Nezdice Na Sumave, Slatina and Dlouhá Ves U Susice as well.

To the higher-level travel overview: Klatovy District.