Discover the Fascinating Charm of Czech Lookout Towers

It is often said that people from the Czech Republic have a passion for beer and enjoy mushroom picking. But to be honest, what we truly adore are lookout towers! The Czech Republic boasts over 500 of these structures, and the number continues to increase. Whether you’re on the hunt for the tallest, the oddest, or the most picturesque lookout tower, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for in this country. Climbing these towers offers stunning views, allowing you to briefly feel like the ruler of the skies—or at least the king of the view. So, which lookout tower will you choose for your adventure?

The Oldest Lookout Towers – The Neo-Gothic Temple and Joseph’s Tower

Are you familiar with the Temple in Krásný Dvůr Castle Park? This remarkable landmark isn’t just the oldest neo-Gothic structure in the country; it is also the oldest lookout tower in all of the Czech Republic. Constructed in 1793, it enhances a sprawling English-style park next to the Krásný Dvůr state castle located in the Podbořany region. While the temple fell into neglect for many years, it was revitalized through significant renovations completed between 2014 and 2017. This unique tower, standing twenty meters tall, was designed by Jan Rudolf Černín. From the outset, its purpose was to serve as a lookout, and it later became a tribute to General Karl Schwarzenberg, who triumphed over Napoleon at Leipzig in 1813. Inside, you can find a sandstone statue of the general by sculptor Emanuel Max from 1847, alongside replicas of the stained glass windows and a model of the original observation deck.

Joseph’s Tower, known as the oldest stone lookout tower in the Czech Republic, is perched on the northwestern slope of Klet’, the tallest peak in the Blanský Forest. It was built between 1822 – 1825 during the reign of Prince Joseph II of Schwarzenberg. On clear, cold days, visitors can see as far as the Alpine peaks. Otherwise, the views include the Českobudějovická and Třeboňská basins, the Novohradské hory, and much of Šumava between Český Krumlov and Prachatice. In 1824 and 1825, the tower was designated a trigonometric point for mapping, making it a popular spot among cartographers. One hundred years after the tower’s inception, in 1925, a charming mountain hut was established for tourists, under the patronage of Princess Therese of Schwarzenberg.

The Tallest Towers – Television Tower Žižkov and the Tower of the Ledvice Power Plant

For a long time, Prague has proudly hosted the highest tower in the Czech Republic, the imposing Žižkov TV transmitter, which looms over the city. Standing at an impressive 216 meters, this towering structure was constructed from 1985 to 1992, under the direction of architects Václav Aulický and Jiří Kozák. On clear days, the observation deck, located 93 meters high, offers breathtaking views that extend up to 100 kilometers away. Yet, in terms of height, another contender has recently taken the spot of the highest tower in the Czech Republic: a glass lookout with a visitor gallery situated on one of the towers of the Ledvice Power Plant. This structure reaches a height of 144 meters and is located between Bílina and Teplice. The overall tower is 145 meters tall, making it the tallest industrial building in the nation (note that visits must be scheduled in advance).

The Tallest Lookout Tower – Praděd in Jeseníky

The Most Romantic Lookout Tower – Štěpánka in Jizerky

The Most Admired Tower by Architects – Ještěd in Liberec

The Lowest – Romanka in the Nymburk Region

Located near the village of Nouzov, you’ll find the lowest lookout tower in our country. Notably, Jára Cimrman had a fear of heights, so this tower is very low; its height is stated as negative -0.15m, meaning it actually sits below the surrounding terrain, nestled in a small valley.

Besides the intriguing view, visitors can enjoy trying out a prototype of Cimrman’s telescope along with a pedal phone.

Doubravka lookout tower located in the Čihadla Nature Park in Prague 14 was inaugurated in mid-June 2018. The tower, which stands 23 meters tall, was designed by Prof. Ing. arch. Martin Rajniš along with his team from the Huti architektury. The structure is made of three legs crafted from acacia wood. Climbing 20 meters to reach its peak requires ascending 98 steps up an internal spiral staircase.

In total, over 5,162 kg of steel, 3,000 bolts, 6,000 nuts, and about 1,000 cubic meters of durable and easily renewable acacia wood from Moravia around Bzenec were used in its construction.

Until the year 2021, the first stone lookout tower constructed after 1945 was known as Brdo in Chřiby, located in South Moravia. However, it was soon surpassed by the Dalimil Tower situated in the Rychlebské hory mountains. It is an exact replica of a lookout tower that once existed on Králický Sněžník. More than 120 years later, just like in 1899, stone was again the primary building material used.

This lookout tower was erected on the summit of Větrov between the years 2019-2021. It was commissioned by Mr. Dalimil Mika, after whom the tower is named. Even though he does not remember the previous lookout tower on Sněžník, his parents shared stories about it and showed him photographs. Mr. Dalimil was inspired and decided to create a replica for everyone to enjoy. The design was developed by Jiří Tomeček’s Studio A.

The wooden Bára lookout tower located on Devil’s Rock can be found atop the old Podhůra quarry just south of Chrudim. When it was unveiled in 2008, it only took a few days before it was destroyed by a blizzard. Despite this setback, the locals refused to give up on the tower and constructed a new fifteen-meter-high structure with minimal connections, capable of withstanding winds of up to 200 km/h. You can test this for yourself.

The building’s designer, Martin Rajniš, is also responsible for the new post office on Sněžka. The viewing platform is situated about 15 meters above the ground, while the metal flagpole adds another ten meters to the height.

Bismarck Tower, located near Cheb, ended up in a restricted border zone, rendering it off-limits to tourists for many years. This tower is one of three erected in honor of German Reich Chancellor Otto von Bismarck. Interestingly, around 270 similar structures have been constructed globally. This particular tower opened in 1907 and features a platform at a height of 14 m.

This massive stone lookout tower sits at an elevation of 637 m above sea level on Zelená Hora, approximately 4 km west of Cheb. Following World War II, access to the tower was prohibited due to its location in the restricted zone, resulting in its complete neglect. After renovations, it reopened on June 12, 2005, drawing interest from both Czech and German tourists alike.

In the Breclav region of Kobylí, you’ll encounter a stunning lookout tower built in 2018, aptly named Trail Above the Vineyards. This tower is distinctive not just for its design but also for its full accessibility. Standing at a height of 7.5 meters, it is positioned on the highest point in the village, Mare Hill, which locals refer to as Homole, at an altitude of 334 meters above sea level.

The structure resembles an open tunnel or an ascending, curved bridge. From its height, you can enjoy views of Pálava and, under perfect conditions, even spot the Austrian Alps.

The inception of the lookout towers in Salaš began with an architectural competition initiated by a private investor from Přerov, who wished to bring his vision to life. He resolved to create a lookout tower on his property atop a hill above the village of Salaš, designed in the shape of two intersecting sevens.

This futuristic twenty-one-meter steel tower, constructed in 2015, is adorned with larch wooden slats. It offers breathtaking views from open galleries that rise to heights of 15 and 20 meters, showcasing the church towers of Velehrad, the White Carpathians, and the peaks of the Chřiby Mountains.