Hroubovice – Natural Area and Jewish Remembrance

Hroubovice between protected nature and a culture of remembrance

Hroubovice combines two very different, clearly recognisable sides: the protected valley of the Anenský Brook and important evidence of Jewish history. This creates a destination where nature observation and culture do not appear as separate themes. Those seeking both landscapes and historic sites during their stay will find concrete starting points here for exploring them together.

The Anenské Valley: Habitats in the Anenský Brook Valley

The Anenské Valley Nature Reserve extends through the valley of the Anenský Brook between Štěpánov, Přibylov, Nová Ves and Hroubovice, north of Skuteč. At the same time, the valley is designated as a European site of community importance and bears the Natura 2000 code CZ0534051.

Its distinctive character is shaped by a variety of protected habitats. These include floodplain forests rich in ash and alder, dry calcareous grasslands and extensively mown meadows extending from the lowlands to the foothills. Habitats of the dusky large blue butterfly are also part of the protected area. Amphibians, reptiles and butterflies have also been recorded in the Anenské Valley. These include fire salamanders, grass snakes and the dusky large blue butterfly. The landscape is therefore not merely a green backdrop, but a space with clearly identifiable biological communities.

For active exploration, a regional development strategy identifies cycle paths and cycling routes in Hroubovice. This complements the natural attractions with an opportunity to get to know the surroundings from another perspective, without reducing the landscape to a single excursion destination.

Hroubovice Jewish Cemetery

The Hroubovice Jewish Cemetery was established around the middle of the 18th century and expanded in the middle of the 19th century. Around 250 gravestones from the period between 1788 and 1966 have been preserved. The cemetery belongs to the group of Jewish cemeteries in eastern Bohemia known for their distinctive gravestone symbolism on stelae dating from the late 18th century and the first half of the 19th century.

A special arrangement applies to visits: the cemetery is locked, and the key can be borrowed from the Hroubovice municipal office. This information is part of the practical planning of a visit and distinguishes the site from freely accessible facilities. For a trip with a historical focus, the cemetery also offers direct access to the region’s Jewish past.

Holocaust Memorial and Memorial Park

A Holocaust memorial was unveiled and a memorial park opened on 11 December 2017 at the site of the demolished synagogue. The memorial lists the names of 39 Jewish residents who were deported to Theresienstadt in November 1942 and subsequently to Auschwitz. It stands in a small park on the Anenský Brook between house numbers 22 and 123.

Together with the cemetery, this place of remembrance forms Hroubovice’s second focal point. The precise naming of the victims and the location by the brook give the memorial park a concrete connection to the site, while the Anenské Valley makes the natural surroundings with their protected habitats visible.

More destinations for planning your trip

If you would like to expand your selection of destinations, you can also view NabočanyNabočany, PřestavlkyPřestavlky, CtětínCtětín, LoziceLozice, ŽumberkŽumberk, LibkovLibkov, ZderazZderaz and DolívkaDolívka.

To the higher-level travel overview: Chrudim District.