Saar: Culture, Routes and Family Experiences

Culture and Nature around Saar

Saar draws attention to an unusual combination of Baroque architecture, regional history, and paths through protected landscapes. Particularly distinctive is the pilgrimage church of Saint John of Nepomuk on Zelená Hora: the star-shaped building was constructed in the early 18th century based on a design by Jan Blazej Santini, whose distinctive style lies between Neo-Gothic and Baroque. This means the exploration begins with an architectural monument whose form and art-historical classification immediately invite closer inspection.

The main visitor route at the pilgrimage church leads from the main gate through the pilgrimage field and into the church. In July and August, a special guided tour also includes the first and second floors. Route B of the educational trail around Zelená Hora offers a different approach: it leads over wooden walkways through the Louky u Černého lesa nature reserve to the pilgrimage church. The educational trail loops are accessible and suitable for excursions with strollers and small children. This makes it possible to combine a cultural destination with a route section explicitly geared toward families.

Zámek Žďár also places a clear emphasis on history. A guided tour explores the grounds of the former 13th-century Cistercian monastery through stories and architecture. The New Generation Museum complements this approach with a multimedia exhibition: plays of light and shadow, music, and animated stories convey the 800-year history of the château and its surroundings. At Moučkův dům, a permanent exhibition traces the history of Žďár nad Sázavou, from the founding of the monastery in 1252 to the turbulent development of the 20th century. Moučkův dům is open year-round except Mondays.

Further stops deepen the view of the past. The Regional Museum is housed in Tvrz čp. 276, one of the oldest buildings in Žďár nad Sázavou, which was built in the 14th or 15th century. Dolní hřbitov is an architectural monument of Baroque architecture built in the early 18th century based on a design by Jan Blažej Santini-Aichel. On the Baroque bridge in Žďár nad Sázavou, the eight statues of saints are dated by chronograms: seven statues bear the year 1761, while the statue “sv. Metoděj” bears the year 1766.

For a visit with children, Modelové Království Žďár offers its own thematic attraction. It is dedicated to the construction and operation of one of the largest model railway layouts in the Czech Republic; the layout includes real railway stations, buildings, and landscape features. Railway line 250 is also relevant for your geographical orientation. It connects to line 230 and links Prague, Kolín, Golčův Jilemn? Golčův Jeníkov, Havlíčkův Brod, Žďár nad Sázavou, Tišnov, and Brno.

If you would like to look at other places besides Saar for your travel planning, here are the direct destinations: Brezi Nad Oslavou, Moravecké Pavlovice, Prosetín, Moravec, Radešín, Dalečín, Chlum-Korouhvice and Dolní Libochová.

For the higher-level travel overview: Okres Žďár Nad Sázavou.