The tower was constructed in the Neo-Gothic style, a popular architectural choice for 19th-century lookout structures in Central Europe.
The Kleť Observatory, located adjacent to the tower, has discovered over 1,000 minor planets since its establishment.
The mountain is frequently shrouded in 'inversion' fog, which can leave the tower summit bathed in sunlight while the surrounding valleys remain overcast.
The onsite Tereziina chata has provided food and shelter for hikers since the mid-19th century.
The location was a significant site for the Klet' meteorite impact research due to the region's historical geological studies.
Observation tower Kleť is the oldest stone viewing tower in the Czech Republic, built in 1825 by Joseph Johann von Schwarzenberg. It stands at an elevation of 1,084 meters atop Mount Kleť in the Blanský les Protected Landscape Area. The tower features a sun clock on its northern wall and an attached mountain hut named Tereziina chata. On clear days, visibility extends to the Austrian Alps, including the Dachstein massif. The site houses a small television transmitter and a specialized observatory dedicated to the discovery of minor planets. Visitors can access the summit via several hiking trails or a chairlift that runs from the village of Krasetín. The tower serves as a primary geographic landmark for the South Bohemian Region.
The north-facing gallery of the tower provides the best vantage point for panoramic shots of the Bohemian Forest and the sun clock.
Bring layers of windproof clothing, as the temperature at the summit is consistently significantly lower than in the valley.
Check local weather cameras for the Kleť summit before ascending to ensure visibility is not obscured by low-hanging clouds.
Wear sturdy, broken-in hiking boots if planning to trek the ascent, as trails can be rocky and steep.
Do not rely on the chairlift for your return trip without checking the final departure time, as it is the only mechanical transport down the mountain.
The tower is accessible year-round, though the chairlift operates on a seasonal schedule and may close during adverse winter weather.
