Chomutov, an important historical town situated at the foothills of the Krušné Mountains, was founded at the crossroads of ancient trade routes connecting Prague with Leipzig and Cheb with in Ustí nad Labem. During the last century Chomutov has grown into a modern industrial city. However, in recent decades there has been a decline in industrial production and the environment around the city and its surroundings significantly improved. So people in Chomutov began to focus on recreational activities and decided to build a stylish recreational area including the Podkrušnohorský ZOO park, open-air museum, horseback riding facilities, pastures for rare cattle species and a swimming pool near Kamencové Lake. The water of the lake has healing properties. Another recreational area was built in the beautiful Bezruč Valley.
First, we shall visit the picturesque historic city centre, where the square in the centre of the city underwent a reconstruction on the 1st of May, which nearly returned it to its original historical form. The most valuable architectonic monument is the early Gothic Church of St. Catherine where we can see interesting paintings on the ceiling. But nothing from the church equipment survived until today. The most precious item, the Lobkowicz pearl altar, was bought back by the Lobkowicz family. A former chateau is attached to the church. Since 1608, the chateau has been serving as the City hall and also as the site for a Gothic exposition held by the District museum. Another museum exposition is located in the former Jesuit College. The square is lined with arcades and old town houses, from which the most interesting historic building is house No. 9, called Collin House, with a vault like dome. The Church of St. Ignatius, with its interesting interior and altar, seems to close the southeast section of the square. The centre of the square is enhanced by the Column of the Holy Trinity built in 1697. Nearby we may see the city tower, adjacent to the southern facade of the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. The City tower observation deck is open to the public and offers a beautiful view of the city and its surroundings. On our way to the top of the 53 m high tower, we must climb up a spiral staircase with a vault-like dome with the city coat of arms embedded in the wall, which was originally above the city gate. Then we continue our climb on a wooden staircase. On each floor we find an exhibition demonstrating the historical development of the city, a bell from 1590 and clock works.
We are leaving the historic centre full of pleasant feelings and slowly getting ready to face the field section of our trip, which will takes us to the beautiful deciduous forests at the edge of the krušnohoský crack. To go there we take a car. Hikers must overcome about a 3 km long section in the town, around the city theatre, Kamencový Bridge and ZOO Park. We shall park near the intersection where Březová Street and Kamenný Hill (Stone Hill) meet. At the slope near the intersection we find the Březenecká (public transportation) crossroad sign. From here we follow the red sign towards the hillsides and forests situated under Strážiště Hill (yellow sign direction "Partisan"). Following the yellow signs, we pass the intersection and gradually walk around the foothills of Strážiště Hill. We are now climbing up along the edge of the forest. Here we must stay sharp. Military bunkers called "Bunkry na Kočičáku" (Bunkers at Kočičák) are located on the north side of the red sign trail. At a meadow near a small grove we can find a well-preserved fortification line originating back to the time of the "first Republic". We may see three repaired and maintained bunkers, equipped with camouflage paint and barbed wire, various roadblocks, trenches and clearings with machine-gun nests. Individual fortifications are about 100 m apart. After exploring the surroundings and after refreshments, we are going to leave this interesting place.
The red signs will brings us to the road where we find a crossroad sign with our yellow sign. From here we continue towards "Březenecká (3.5 km)". We are heading down the hill following a small path and after a while make a left turn and join a paved road which will take us to a hotel with a viewing tower on the top of Strážiště Hill. We descend slightly through a beautiful beech forest, until we reach the building with the viewing tower. Unfortunately, the tower is currently under construction (6/2008) so we continue down a slightly steeper road until we reach our car. This time we had no chance to enjoy the views of the picturesque landscape from the viewing tower.
Total length 7 km.
