Touch House

Touch House – Restoring Traditions, Ecology, and Culture

Overview

Located in the beautifully restored former baroque rectory in Upper Maršov, Touch House seamlessly blends history with modern ecological practices. This state-protected cultural monument boasts modern technologies such as sensitive insulation, solar energy, and recycled materials, earning it both the Ecologically Friendly Service label and the European Ecolabel certificate.
Despite its modern amenities, the house retains its original charm, complemented by the oldest memorial tree in the Krkonoše Mountains—a 450-year-old linden tree—and the Renaissance Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, the region’s oldest religious monument.

Exhibitions and Activities

Inside, Touch House hosts an interactive exhibition titled “How to Live and Survive in Nature and Civilization,” designed for all ages. Features include a ball pit, a model depicting the development of the Krkonoše landscape, interactive panels offering practical advice for nature enthusiasts, and displays detailing the area’s environmental changes due to human impact. Visitors can also enjoy a puppet theater and explore the parish priest’s study room.

Certified Natural Garden

Adjacent to the house, a certified natural garden showcases traditional vegetables, fruits, and herbs indigenous to the Krkonoše region. Highlights include mountain rye and flax, cultivated here for centuries. The garden features a children’s playground with wooden constructions, a dendrophone, a ball track, a hammock, and an amphitheater. A small farm with various animals and a fireplace area enhance the garden’s charm, offering a self-service program for families.

Activities and Workshops

For eco-friendly tourists, Touch House recommends exploring Horní Maršov and its surroundings through author-led adventure trails and quests of varying lengths and themes. Creative workshops allow visitors to craft linen figures, candles, buttons, or butter. Guided tours of the former rectory, the Renaissance Church, and educational programs on ecology enrich the visitor experience.

Visitor Services

The Infokolonial serves as a tourist information center, offering not only practical guidance but also local artisanal gifts, regional organic products, and fair-trade items. Open daily, it extends its hours from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. during June to September, ensuring accessibility to visitors seeking information and souvenirs.

Educational Programs and Accommodation

Owned by the SEVER Environmental Education Center, Touch House provides educational programs for schools, seminars for adults, and cultural events. Accommodation options include six rooms and one apartment in the attic, accommodating up to 27 guests. Each unit features a private bathroom and a small kitchenette, with meals available in the original black kitchen or through the parochial kitchen service.

Contact Information

Opening Hours