Akátová věž

Akátová věž (Acacia Tower) is a wooden lookout tower standing on the Výhon hill east of the small town of Židlochovice in South Moravia. Its name comes straight from the building material — the tower is constructed almost entirely from acacia (black locust) wood, an unusual choice compared to the steel or concrete lookout towers common elsewhere in the region.

How do you get there?

There's no way to drive up to the tower — access is on foot or by bike only. The starting point is Židlochovice itself, where a small free car park sits by the tourist information centre on Náměstí Míru. From there, two routes lead up Výhon hill: the green-marked tourist trail (about 2 km) or the "Krajinou Výhon" nature trail (roughly 2.5 km), which adds information panels about the local landscape along the way. Alternatively, you can park near the cemetery in the neighbouring village of Blučina and follow a paved lane past a local winery. Brno is only about 20 km away, making this an easy half-day trip without needing to stay overnight.

What will you see once you're there?

The tower has an unusual cylindrical shape with a circular base 3.7 m in diameter. A staircase of 76 steps leads up to the viewing platform at a height of 14.5 m, and since the platform has no roof, the view is completely unobstructed in every direction. On a clear day you can pick out the surrounding towns, the Pálava hills, the Nové Mlýny reservoirs, and — on exceptionally transparent days — even the outlines of the White Carpathians and the Alps. The tower was designed by Brno-based architect Pavel Jury; construction began on 27 February 2009 and the official opening followed on 1 August 2009.

When should you visit, and what does it cost?

Akátová věž is open around the clock, all year round, and admission is completely free — there are no gates or ticket booths. The clearest views usually come in early spring or autumn, when the air is more transparent. In summer, aim for morning or late afternoon, since the approach across open fields and vineyards offers little shade.

Who is this trip suited for?

The walk up from Židlochovice is gentle and works well for families with children or moderately active hikers — it follows field and forest tracks without any steep climbs. The tower itself calls for some caution, though: the stairs are steep and winding, and the open-air platform means strong wind or ice can make the top uncomfortable or slippery. The Výhon area is a popular spot for walking and cycling, so it's easy to combine the tower with a longer loop through the vineyards around Blučina and Židlochovice.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee for the tower? No, admission to Akátová věž is completely free, and the tower is open with no time restrictions throughout the year.

Can you drive right up to the tower? No — the final stretch can only be covered on foot or by bike. Cars are left at the car park in Židlochovice or near the cemetery in Blučina.

How long does the climb up take? The green trail from Židlochovice is about 2 km, and the one-way walk typically takes 30–40 minutes depending on pace.

What can you see from the viewing platform? On a clear day you can see the surrounding towns, the Pálava hills, and the Nové Mlýny reservoirs, and on exceptionally clear days even the White Carpathians and the Alps.