Ledce – Museum, Šternberk and Džbán Nature Park

Ledce combines an unusual museum history with the historical traces of Šternberk and the hilly landscape of Džbán Nature Park. If you would like to combine culture, nature and excursions with different focuses on your trip to the Czech Republic, the town offers several specific points of interest.

A Museum of Regional and Asian History

The Malé asijské muzeum has been active in Ledce since 2005. On 8 December 2012, the Ledce Municipality and Former Šternberk Spas Memorial Room was opened there. The history and life of the municipality from the earliest times to the present day are documented on 15 large panels, several smaller panels and in display cases containing photographs, newspaper clippings, documents and objects. The museum also includes a library with predominantly Czech literature about Asia, as well as regional literature from the Slánsko region.

In front of the museum building, visitors can also view the interior of a traditional Mongolian yurt. In addition to local history, the museum therefore offers another clearly distinct focus. For travel planning with children, the activities of Ledecká Farma (Etincelle) are also of interest: The farm is open to the public, runs summer holiday camps for children and offers programmes for schools and kindergartens as well as herb workshops throughout the year.

Šternberk between Spa History and Archaeology

The settlement of Šternberk has been part of the municipality of Ledce for several centuries. At the beginning of the 19th century, the Martinic family founded a spa there after examining the springs. A representative colonnade was built at one of the springs. The former Ledce fortress stood at the site of Dvořiště between Ledce and the settlement of Šternberk; its location is classified as a Category ÚAN I archaeological area.

The wider history of the municipality also reaches far back: Archaeological finds from what is now the municipality of Ledce attest to prehistoric settlement. The surroundings of the former spa buildings of Šternberk are considered a pleasant place for a walk.

Džbán Nature Park and Protected Landscapes

Ledce is located in Džbán Nature Park. The nature park was designated in 1994 and covers 416 km². Its landscape is predominantly hilly and rises into upland areas in places. The surroundings of the former spa buildings of Šternberk extend partly into Džbán Nature Park and the Smečno Nature Monument. For walks and orientation in the landscape, this connection between local history and the protected area is an important part of the region’s character.

The Smečno Nature Monument protects the critically endangered hermit beetle (Osmoderma barnabita). Its presence was recently recorded in old hollow trees in the castle park and in the adjoining avenue.

Horse Riding and Orientation on Site

Renata Pavlasová Čečilová’s Jezdecká škola offers riding lessons in Ledce. In good weather, the riding lessons are supplemented by trail rides on bridleways in the surroundings of Ledce; beginners are accompanied. For arrival and connections between the local districts, PID bus route 627 serves the stops Ledce (KD), Ledce,Náves (KD), Ledce,Farma (KD) and Ledce,rozc.Šternberk (KD).

If you would like to consider other places from the same selection in addition to Ledce, you can find Cvrčovice, Stehelčeves, Želenice, Makotřasy, Velké Přítočno, Hořešovičky, Kladno and Jarpice.

For the higher-level travel overview: Kladno District.