Arnolec: Chapels, Protected Area and Cycle Route

Arnolec lies in a gentle hollow below the wooded elevation of the Arnolecké hory. At the same time, the village is situated on the southern slopes of the Arnolecké hory below Havlina. Those looking for a combination of landscapes, sacred architecture, regional history and cycling during their stay in the Czech Republic will find several different points of interest here to incorporate into their travel plans.

Protected Area and Distinctive Landscape

A notable natural feature is the Rychtářský rybník. The area is designated as a protected area, PP, in the cadastral territory of Arnolec. It is home to a large population of the specially protected plant species slender mudwort (Coleanthus subtilis).

The surroundings cannot be reduced to a single type of excursion. The wooded heights shape the orientation of the village, while individual memorials and sacred sites offer access to its cultural history. Depending on your daily itinerary, you can combine nature, local history and cycling in different ways, without reducing Arnolec to merely a place to pass through.

Chapels with Different Historical Traces

Arnolec is home to the Neo-Romanesque Chapel of St. Wendelin, built in 1874. It was restored from 2004 to 2007. The Chapel of St. Anne was built in the 1670s and 1680s and was completely restored in 2019. It stands in the fields about half a kilometre east of Arnolec. The two chapels offer different historical perspectives: St. Wendelin represents a 19th-century building, while St. Anne points to a significantly earlier period of construction.

The local culture of remembrance also includes the memorial plaque for Josef Toufar, unveiled on 20 October 1991. The atonement cross known as “Baba” commemorates the violent death of a messenger on foot on the former route from Bohemia to Moravia. The cross stands on the road between Stáj and Arnolec, about 1 km from Arnolec. If you are interested in historic routes and smaller cultural monuments, these sites offer meaningful individual focal points within your travel plans.

Historic Routes and Cycling

The old trade route known as Uherská passed through Arnolec. In the nearby area, a frequently travelled route was also called “U kamenného kříže”. An image of the Holy Trinity is located on the way to the local mountains. Such references tell of different forms of movement through the landscape, without implying a single route or a specific circular trail.

For cycling, the “Přejezd Arnoleckých hor” route is a specific point of reference. It passes through Arnolec and Stáj before reaching the ridge of the Arnolecké hory. The route also lists the birthplace of Josef Toufar in Arnolec as a tourist attraction. Those planning an active trip can take this information into account when choosing accommodation and structuring their excursions over time. Those who mainly want to explore chapels and memorial sites, on the other hand, will find a different, more strongly cultural-historical perspective in Arnolec.

Which Accommodation Location Suits Your Plans?

When looking for accommodation in Arnolec, the desired mix of experiences is the first deciding factor. For those interested in culture, the chapels, memorial plaque and atonement cross are the main attractions. For cycling travellers, the connection between Arnolec, Stáj and the ridge of the Arnolecké hory is the more important point of reference. If the landscape is your main focus, the Rychtářský rybník protected area offers a distinct thematic highlight. When continuing your search, therefore, consider which destinations you actually want to include in your itinerary and which location suits your trip.

Explore More Destinations

For further orientation, you can also explore Měšín, Dolni Smrcne, Velký Beranov, Zadní Vydří, Nadějov, Horní Myslová, Stonařov and Větrný Jeníkov.

For the higher-level travel overview: Jihlava District.