Poděšín

Poděšín combines a remarkable local history with a landscape shaped by the Poděšínský potok stream. The municipality extends on both sides of this stream. Those interested in historical traces, regional traditions and paths through a water-shaped environment will find several themes here that can be combined into a varied stay.

A stream as a defining landscape element

The Poděšínský potok is 13.6 kilometres long. Its source areas lie near Samotín and in the Špitálský les forest in the cadastral area of Janovice. The stream can therefore be viewed not only as a watercourse within Poděšín, but also in connection with the landscape areas from which it is fed. This gives you a specific point of reference if you would like to get to know the character of the village through its natural surroundings and local setting.

History between Nížkov and Poděšín

The first written mention of Poděšín dates from 1233. It is closely connected with the beginnings of the monastery and church in Nížkov. This early record gives the village a historical depth that extends beyond individual visible buildings and connects Poděšín with the history of its surroundings.

Among the notable historic artefacts is a bell cast in Poděšín in 1708. One side showed Christ crucified, while the other depicted Saint John of Nepomuk. The chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary is also part of the local religious history. It was built in 1874 in place of a wooden bell tower that had been erected in 1708. The two years mark different phases in the local history of construction and faith.

A sculpture, wayside cross and a place to linger

A contemporary accent is the Strom sculpture by Michal Olšiak. On 26 April, the artist began building it in Poděšín. A tourist information point with seating was established next to the sculpture and the restaurant; it was completed on 18 June 2010. This point combines information with an opportunity to linger, without allowing the village’s historical themes to fade into the background.

The Nejedlův kříž also points to older connections in the region. The cross stands on Karbarova cesta, which formerly connected Polná, Hrbov and Nížkov. The former function of this connection should be retained when placing the site in context: it describes a historical connection and not a current route or traffic indication.

Excursion route and water experience

A published excursion route from the Nížkov ossuary chapel to the customs post leads through Poděšín. The route can be saved on a mobile device and used offline in Mapy.cz. This gives you a practical way to include Poděšín in an excursion that has already been described. Another historical reference to the subject of water is the Rybník na Bejčině pond: it was used as a natural outdoor swimming pool. This wording describes former use and says nothing about swimming facilities operating today.

Discover more places

For further research, you can also explore Světnov, Malá Losenice, Kuklik, Nové Veselí, Podolí, Vídeň, Ujčov and Znětínek.

For the overarching travel overview: Okres Žďár Nad Sázavou.