Poledník lookout tower

There is a concrete lookout tower from 1998 on the Poledník mountain in Šumava. However, its construction took place as early as 1968. It is located at an altitude of 1315 meters, approximately 7 km south of Prášil and about 45 km south of Klatovy.

The total height of the lookout tower is 37 meters. A total of 227 steps lead to the viewing platform and a circular view of Velký and Malý Roklan in the Bavarian Forest, Šumava with the peaks of Svatobor, Kašperk, Oblík, Hadí vrch and others. If the weather is nice, you will also see the Alps, which are 180 km away.

The easiest way to get to the lookout tower is from the village of Prášily, preferably by bike or on foot. The journey will take you about 2 hours on foot and the trail is marked. But you can't get there by car this way.

You can visit the lookout tower from the first of May to October, from 10 am to 4 pm. During the summer holidays, the opening hours are extended by two hours.

Legend, which is associated with the name Poledník or Polední hory, says that it was called so by Prašil woodcutters. Reportedly, every time the sun rose just above the top of the mountain, it was lunchtime.

Mount Poledník and its surroundings were inaccessible during the period of totalitarianism. Due to the location of an important military air defense facility and a modern eavesdropping device on this peak, this area of ​​the Communist Party was thoroughly guarded and classified. Even the places from where the mountain could be seen were inaccessible to the public, and many maps did not even mention this place. There was a minefield and barbed wire around the building. The soldiers were able to intercept police radios from Munich and even broadcasts at sea from Poledník.

The army left this area only in 1992. The buildings that served the army here were demolished and the tower was converted into a lookout tower. These modifications were ordered by the administration of the Šumava National Park, which then acquired the tower, and the total cost was 10.5 million. The project was developed by Miloslav Hrubec.

The tower - lookout tower - was opened to tourists on July 18, 1998. A shelter is connected to the lookout tower, serving tourists in bad weather. In summer, refreshments are open here, it is possible to buy postcards, a map, etc.

At the top of the tower there are three arched floors. The observation deck is located at a height of 37 meters, and the Šumava National Park National Park Administration is currently taking care of the operation of the lookout tower.

Author: Andrea Štyndlová