Klostermannova lookout tower

The Klostermann lookout tower, located on the Javorník hill above the settlement, bearing the same name, was officially opened as early as 1938. This place is located about 40 km northwest of Prachatice at an altitude of 1066 meters.

The total height of the Klostermann lookout tower is 39.6 meters. 201 steps lead to the viewing platform at a height of 32 meters and there is a circular view of the Strakonice, Horažďovice and Šumava regions. If the weather really suits you, the Alps are said to be visible. Maps describing visible points located directly at the observation windows will help you with orientation.

From the settlement Javorník, part of the village Vacov, the way to the lookout tower is easy. You can park your car at the local pension Na Podlesí and from there follow the green or blue tourist sign on foot for about 1 km to the lookout tower.

Javorník is the highest peak of the Ždánovská Highlands and the Klostermann lookout tower has stood on it since 1938. It is named after the Šumava writer Karel Klostermann, who was very fond of the local region and who was also said to be the first to contribute to the construction of the lookout tower. On July 26, 1914, the foundation stone for the construction of the lookout tower was to be laid, but unfortunately these plans were thwarted by mobilization.

Due to these circumstances, the building moved to the post-war period. The Kašpersko mountain group of the National Unity of the Pošumava Mountains then established a Committee for the construction of a lookout tower. Finances for the construction were obtained through a public collection of surrounding municipalities, whose names are carved above the entrance to the lookout tower. The land for the building was a gift from Prince Schwarzenberg, who also provided a 50% discount on timber for this occasion. The road to the lookout tower was established in 1935. However, sufficient funds for the construction of the lookout tower were collected in 1938.

The construction began on June 21, 1938. The construction costs at that time amounted to 90,000 crowns. The 24-meter-high lookout tower was then built by eight bricklayers and eight add-ons. The lookout tower was ceremoniously opened on August 28, 1938.

The original intention was to build a wooden cottage together with the lookout tower, but unfortunately there were no funds left for its construction. In the end, only a porch with a waiting room was set up near the lookout tower.

After the Sudetenland was captured, Javorník was the highest peak in Bohemia. Later, in the war years, it served as an anti-aircraft observatory.

In the 1980s, the technical condition of the lookout tower deteriorated considerably. In addition, its view was obscured by the surrounding trees, and plans for repairs were thwarted by the revolution of 1989. By 1997, the lookout tower had to be closed to the public.

In 2001, the Karel Klostermann Endowment Fund was established, which, together with the municipality of Vacov, sought to restore the view from the local lookout tower. However, this was not possible by felling the forest, as the local trees were not tolls. Therefore, at that time there were considerations about the overall increase of the lookout tower. The superstructure was to be 10 meters high and the financial estimate of this increase was calculated at 1.6 million crowns. However, the entire project had to be postponed due to the rejection of subsidies from the Phare Endowment Fund.

Fortunately, the situation improved a year after these events, in 2002. At that time, T-Mobile was interested in placing their antennas on top of the tower, so the increase in the lookout tower did take place. The superstructure takes the form of an octagonal building with a height of 14 meters, so the total height of the lookout tower was now 39.6 meters. The reconstruction took place in September 2002, and on July 5, 2003, the lookout tower was ceremoniously opened to the public.

Author: Andrea Štyndlová