Rosička observation tower

Rosička Observation Tower stands above the village of Sázava in the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands, just a few kilometers from Žďár nad Sázavou. Built on top of Rosička hill (645 meters above sea level), it is one of the most visited lookout points in the Vysočina region.

How do you get there?

A marked hiking trail leads directly to the tower, and a long-distance cycling route also passes nearby, so it's reachable on foot or by bike. Most visitors start from Žďár nad Sázavou or the village of Sázava itself, and the walk from either place usually takes under an hour through the quiet forests and fields typical of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands. The route doesn't require any special fitness, which makes it a good option for a family outing.

What can you see from the tower?

The tower reaches a total height of 42 meters, with the observation deck sitting at 24 meters — reaching it means climbing 140 steps. The structure was engineered to withstand wind speeds of up to 200 km/h, making it one of the sturdier lookout towers in the region. From the deck, the view stretches across the Posázaví area, the Křižanov Highlands (part of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands), the Žďár Hills, the Iron Mountains, and the Jihlava Hills. On clear days visibility reaches several dozen kilometers, which is why Rosička ranks among the better panoramic viewpoints in all of Vysočina.

What's the history behind the hill?

The current tower was built around the turn of the millennium as part of a mobile network mast for the operator Czech Mobil, so it combines two functions in one structure: a telecommunications transmitter and a public observation point. Before that, a different structure stood on the same summit — an aviation beacon that also served as a lookout, and one that locals used as a gathering spot for outings and dances. That older structure corroded badly over the years and was destroyed during wartime, so nothing of it survives today. The current tower is an entirely new building erected for a different purpose, which happened to restore the hill's role as a viewpoint.

Good to know before you go

Rosička is a popular day-trip destination from Žďár nad Sázavou, and many visitors combine the climb with a visit to the town itself and its monastery. Given the height of the deck and the number of steps, reaching the top is a light physical effort, manageable for most visitors, including families with children.

Frequently asked questions

How many steps lead to the Rosička observation deck? The observation deck sits at a height of 24 meters, reached by climbing 140 steps.

How tall is the Rosička tower? The whole structure is 42 meters high.

What can you see from the observation deck? The panorama covers the Posázaví area, the Křižanov Highlands, the Žďár Hills, the Iron Mountains, and the Jihlava Hills.

Does the tower serve any purpose besides being a lookout? Yes — it was originally built as a mobile network transmission mast and still combines that function with its role as a tourist viewpoint today.