Velký zvon

Velký zvon is a forested peak rising to 862 metres above sea level in the Český les range, right next to the village of Bělá nad Radbuzou and just a short distance from the Bavarian border. It's a place that draws visitors less for the view itself and more for the layered history hidden among its trees and rocks.

Where does the name come from?

The name has nothing to do with a church bell, despite what "zvon" (bell) might suggest. The hill was simply known as Zvon for a long time, while the neighboring, lower peak was called Zvonec — today known as Malý Zvon. Before the summit was forested, it served as a lookout point known as Kocova vyhlídka, or Koc's Viewpoint. The mountain also carries an older German name, Plattenberg, still found in historical maps and regional records.

What is there to see?

The main draw near the summit is a cluster of rock formations called Kocovy kameny — Koc's Stones — located just north of the peak. Carved into these rocks are the names of local estate owners from the Koči z Dobrše family and their guests, together with visit dates spanning 1803 to 1894. It's an unusual open-air "guestbook," carved directly into stone, showing that people have been coming to this spot for more than two centuries.

The summit itself, however, is dominated by something entirely different: a massive, forty-metre concrete military tower built in 1976, with ten floors. It was constructed during the communist era as a strategic observation post for the Czechoslovak army, and it remains under military control to this day.

Can you climb the tower?

As a rule, the summit area is closed to the public since the tower still serves a military function and access is restricted. That said, the facility is sometimes opened to visitors during summer holidays or open-house days, offering views over the Český les and the border region with Bavaria that are otherwise off-limits.

How to get there?

Velký zvon sits within the forested range running along the Czech-German border, close to Bělá nad Radbuzou in the Domažlice region. This is classic Český les terrain — quiet, sparsely populated, and threaded with hiking trails through wooded hills. Visiting the peak (or, given the access restrictions, its surroundings) works well as part of a longer trip through the area, pairing borderland history with the landscape of the Bohemian Forest.

When to visit?

Summer is the best time to come, since that's when the chance of the tower being open to the public is highest — open-house days tend to be organized during this season. Outside of summer, it's more realistic to plan a walk around the peak and a look at the Kocovy kameny rather than counting on access to the tower itself.

Frequently asked questions

Can you always climb Velký zvon's summit? Not always. The site is a military facility and generally closed, though it is sometimes opened to the public during summer holidays and open-house events.

What are the Kocovy kameny? They are rock formations north of the summit carved with the names of local estate owners and their guests, along with visit dates from 1803 to 1894.

How high is Velký zvon? The peak reaches 862 metres above sea level.

Where does the name Plattenberg come from? It's the historical German name for the mountain, still used in the border region alongside the Czech name Zvon/Velký zvon.