rozhledna Šibeniční vrch

Šibeniční vrch Lookout Tower stands on the hill of the same name (459 m above sea level) southeast of Horšovský Týn in western Bohemia, in the Domažlice region near the Bavarian border. It's a wooden observation tower reached by a marked hiking trail combined with an educational path.

How do you get to the tower?

The hill rises right behind the town, so the easiest approach is on foot from the centre of Horšovský Týn, following the marked trail that runs alongside the educational path. The climb isn't demanding, and the one-way walk usually takes a little over half an hour. Cyclists can reach it just as easily, since the surrounding roads and tracks are gentle.

What can you see from the top?

The tower itself is 21.5 metres tall, with the viewing platform sitting at 13 metres. From there you get a clear view of Horšovský Týn and its château, and further away, the ranges of the Šumava and the Bohemian Forest (Český les) stretching along the German border. It's one of the few spots in the area that opens up such a wide view of the borderland landscape in one sweep.

Why is the hill called "Gallows Hill"?

The name isn't accidental. In earlier centuries the hill served as a place of execution, which is how it came to be called "Gallows Hill." Later the site took on a completely different character: a wooden chapel dedicated to Our Lady of the Holy Mountain was built there, and between 1910 and 1913 members of a local Marian association replaced it with a brick chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes, commemorating a pilgrimage they had made to Lourdes. After 1945 a military shooting range was set up nearby, and the chapel was gradually shot to pieces until it was finally torn down in the 1960s.

Is there anything to see inside the tower?

The lookout also doubles as a small museum. Inside is an exhibition prepared by the Horšovský Týn museum, covering local wayside chapels, crosses, shrines, old farmsteads, mills, and the region's pilgrimage traditions. It's a fitting complement to the view from the platform — a condensed history of the surrounding countryside.

What's the educational trail around the hill?

A 2.5-kilometre educational trail with six information stops circles the hill. The panels cover the site's history, local nature, and the region's brewing traditions — Horšovský Týn and its surroundings have been known for beer-making for centuries. Walking the full loop is a natural extension of the tower visit, especially with kids in tow.

Frequently asked questions

How tall is the Šibeniční vrch lookout tower? The structure is 21.5 metres tall, with a viewing platform set at 13 metres above ground.

What can you see from the viewing platform? Horšovský Týn and its château are visible below, with the Šumava and Bohemian Forest ranges further in the distance.

Where does the hill's name come from? The hill was once a place of execution, which is why it's known as "Gallows Hill." A Marian chapel stood there later, destroyed after 1945 by a neighbouring military shooting range.

Is there anything else to see near the tower? Yes — the tower houses a small museum exhibition on local history, and a 2.5-kilometre educational trail with six themed stops loops around the hill.