Záhornice – Ponds, Forest Paths and History

Záhornice lies in a valley on the banks of the Záhornický potok. The village offers several points of interest for a trip: ponds with reeds and waterfowl, paths through fields and deciduous forests, an archaeological fortified site, and traces of history and culture.

Ponds, Forests and Protected Habitats

The Dymokursko European Site of Community Importance includes the cadastral area of Záhornice u Městce Králové. The Rožďalovické rybníky bird protection area is also significant for nature enthusiasts: it protects populations of the Western marsh harrier (Circus aeruginosus) and the common crane (Grus grus), as well as their habitats. The bird protection area also includes the cadastral area of Záhornice u Městce Králové.

The protected area includes natural eutrophic standing waters with vegetation of the Magnopotamion or Hydrocharition type, purple moor-grass meadows on calcareous, peaty or clay-loamy soils, and oak-hornbeam forests of the Galio-Carpinetum association. Eutrophic standing waters are nutrient-rich bodies of still water; together with meadows and forests, they form various landscape areas.

A blue-marked hiking route leads from the reed meander of Jakubský rybník to the picturesque settlement of Poušť. Poušť lies on the shore of Jakubský rybník and is surrounded by forests. Waterfowl, including swans, nest in the reed meander. A nature trail leads around Pustý rybník and continues along the blue-marked route to Komárovský rybník. From a clearing, there is a view across the entire surface of Pustý rybník, from dam to dam. There is also a forest spring near Jakubský rybník, separated from the pond by a small railway bridge.

The marked route and the nature trail provide a different orientation from the unmarked route along the former sugar factory railway track. Different destinations, markings and landscape areas make the paths different forms of exploration.

Walking Routes with Nature Watching

A walking route begins at the field path between the houses in the Závodeň district and leads through fields to a dense deciduous forest. There, you can expect to see hares, roe deer and common buzzards. An unmarked path follows the former sugar factory railway track to the archaeological site on Vondrák. Another walking route leads through an avenue of old lime trees designated as a state nature monument.

History and Local Culture

An archaeological fortified site is located on Vondrův kopec; the Záhorská tvrz fortress once stood there. In the 18th century, widely known flax markets were held in Záhornice on Candlemas and St. Martin’s Day. The village also has the filial Church of Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist. The local association organizes a bluegrass festival every year, and a Natura 2000 educational centre complements the village’s natural history attractions.

The filial Church of Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist, complements the fortress history and historic markets with a religious site in the village. The annual bluegrass festival adds a musical focus.

You can continue your search for other places via Sadská, Hořátev, Chleby, Vrbová Lhota, Hořany, Bobnice, Kounice and Kolaje.

For the higher-level travel overview: Nymburk District.