Tunnels of Tábor
Tunnels of Tábor, also called catacombs, are a network of cellars under Tábor’s historic center in the Czech Republic. They were dug in the 15th century and many cellars were connected, making a maze. Some parts are quite large. Because they stay cool and humid, the cellars were used to store food and beer, and also as shelter during fires or attacks.
About 800 meters of the underground space under Žižkovo Square were opened to visitors after World War II. The tour follows the open underground route, and visitors walk through the corridors and tunnels without knowing what treasure might lie beneath. Legends speak of Tábor’s ark hidden somewhere in the tunnels; the ark is said by some stories to have given invincibility to the Hussite army led by Jan Žižka, or to have been brought by French Templars. It remains a legend and no proof exists.
Since medieval times, the cellars were an important part of Tábor’s economy and helped protect people from fires. The whole network is said to reach up to 14 kilometers in length, with three underground levels in many places, and the temperature stays around 10°C year-round.
In 1947, Vojtěch Kraupner suggested connecting the cellars of several houses, and a visitor tour of about 500 meters was created. The route starts in the basement of the old town hall (which also houses a lapidary) and runs along the south and east sides of Žižkovo Square, ending in house No. 6 on the north side.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 14:22 (CET).