Polná, town in the Czech Republic
Polná is a town in Jihlava District, Czech Republic, with a historic center that includes baroque houses, a castle, and several churches. The skyline is defined by the tall tower of the Church of the Assumption of Mary, and the main square holds a Trinity column at its center.
Polná grew into a significant trading and craft center during the Middle Ages, protected by stone walls and a castle complex. Over the following centuries, guilds of tailors and metalworkers shaped the town's economy and left their mark on its built fabric.
Polná has a Jewish synagogue from 1684, one of the oldest in the region, still standing near a cemetery with gravestones from several centuries. Each September, locals gather on the main square for the Carrot Pilgrimage, a folk event with regional food and music tied to old harvest customs.
The town center is easy to walk, and a marked self-guided trail leads through the main sites and into the surrounding area. Comfortable shoes are a good idea, as some streets in the old core are cobbled.
Near the town lies a pond called Peklo, which means Hell in Czech, though it is known today as a relaxed spot for walks along the water in summer and ice skating in winter. The name likely comes from old folklore rather than anything forbidding about the place itself.
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