Javorník Tower, Observation tower in Vacov, Czech Republic.
Klostermannova rozhledna stands on Javorník hill near the village of Javorník u Stach, part of Vacov. The original square stone tower, designed by architect Karel Houra, was 24 m high with a viewing platform at 18 m; in 2002–2003 an octagonal concrete extension raised it to 39.6 m. A wooden veranda with a waiting room was added at the entrance.
Members of the Czech Hiking Club planned to lay the foundation stone in July 1914 with writer Karel Klostermann, but Austrian-Hungarian mobilisation cancelled it. A public collection raised almost 4,000 crowns, and Prince Schwarzenberg donated the land and stone. The stone tower by architect Karel Hora was built in 1938 at a cost of 90,000 crowns and opened on 28 August 1938.
The tower is named after the writer Karel Klostermann, in whose presence the foundation stone was to be laid in July 1914; the plan was cancelled by the Austro-Hungarian mobilisation. National pilgrimages were held on Javorník in 1924, 1929, 1934 and 1937 to raise money for the building, and the names of the contributing municipalities are carved above the entrance.
The tower stands on Javorník hill in the Javorník u Stach cadastre, part of Vacov municipality; a road was brought up to the summit in 1935. The climb ends at a viewing platform 39.6 m up, reached after the 2002–2003 addition of an octagonal concrete extension. The surrounding spruces were not felled because they were not mature for logging, which is why the tower was raised instead.
On clear days the view reaches the Alps nearly 200 km away, and the transmitter Cukrák near Prague can also be seen. The tower placed third in an iDNES.cz poll for the most beautiful observation tower in the South Bohemian Region in 2011.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 92,321 contributors worldwide.