Discover Chleby: Zoo, Churches and Cycling Route

Chleby Zoo as the centerpiece of your stay

If you would like to discover Chleby, one particularly notable attraction is its animal life. Chleby Zoo is home to more than 420 animals from 120 or more species. It was founded on June 5, 1997, based on the previous animal collection of the Fraňek couple. In 2004, the zoo became the first official non-state zoo in the Czech Republic in the post-Revolution era.

You can also explore the zoo through special programs. During hands-on experience programs, visitors can try out the work of zookeepers. In addition, the zoo offers educational programs led by an instructor for kindergartens and the first and second stages of primary school. The two offerings have different focuses: one invites participants to get involved in practical activities, while the other combines a zoo visit with a guided educational format. For families and groups with children, these specific formats are an additional consideration when planning, while the large number of animals also makes the zoo a nature-oriented excursion destination.

Cycling and the Chleby body of water

Chleby is also located on the 36 km cycling route “From Nymburk to the Zoo and Loučeň Chateau”. The route passes through Chleby and, as its name suggests, connects the zoo with Loučeň Chateau. The stated length gives you a clear framework if you are considering making a cycling trip a set part of your stay. At 36 kilometers, the route can be planned as a separate activity; its length gives you a concrete measure of the scope of the cycling trip.

Another connection with the landscape is the Chleby body of water. It belongs to the current fishing grounds of the Nymburk anglers. The body of water complements the zoo and churches with a landscape feature linked to the region’s fishing tradition.

Churches and local history

The churches also give Chleby a historically multifaceted character. The foundation stone of the Roman Catholic church in Chleby was laid on May 8, 1780. The Reformed Toleration congregation in Chleby was founded in 1783. Thus, two important dates in the town’s history lie close together.

Further landmarks complete this picture: St. Lawrence Church in Chleby was completed two years after construction began. The Evangelical Church in Chleby was built from 1885 to 1888 in the Neo-Romanesque style. If, alongside nature and wildlife observation, you would also like to include architectural history and religious traditions, Chleby offers several clearly dated points of reference.

Getting there and further research

Bus route 673 runs directly from Nymburk railway station to Chleby. The bus connection complements the cycling route with a direct link from the railway station. When planning your day, you can therefore choose between a bus journey and a cycling trip, depending on whether the zoo, body of water or church history is your main focus. When looking for accommodation, you can therefore first decide whether the zoo, cycling route, body of water or church history is the main reason for your stay.

For further research, you can also select Prerov Nad Labem, Vrbice, Kounice, Oseček, Kostomlátky, Sadská, Kamenné Zboží and Lysa Nad Labem.

To the higher-level travel overview: Nymburk District.