Rostejn: Bell Tower, Chapel and White Storks

Rostejn brings together tangible traces of history and connections to nature: the Rostejn-Zbohov bell tower dates from 1884, a brick chimney supports a white stork’s nest, and a stork sighting is recorded for 2025.

Bell Tower and Chapel History

The Rostejn-Zbohov bell tower was built at the end of November 1884. The bell in the tower was bought from Bedřich Hampl of Jihlava for 28 guilders. This combines a precisely specified construction date with a specific purchase: the seller, his place of origin and the price are all part of the tower’s history.

The chapel on the road from Běstvina to Rostejn was renovated in 2006. A chapel listed as part of the regional cultural heritage stands at the crossroads towards Rostejn.

The end of November 1884 and the year 2006 mark different dates and events: the construction of the bell tower and the renovation of a chapel. Those interested in local history will find more than a single construction date here, without needing an extensive historical overview.

Chimney, Storks and Landscape

At Rostejn 4 stands a 24-metre-high brick factory chimney. Its base is square, its shaft is round, and a concrete ring caps the top. The chimney has long been out of operation and unused. A platform with a white stork’s nest sits at its peak. The transition from a square base to a round shaft is a specific architectural detail that clearly distinguishes it from the history of the bell tower.

A pair of white storks was observed in Rostejn on 4 April 2025. This dated sighting adds a specific moment in nature to the architectural reference to the stork’s nest. The CHKO Železné hory Protected Landscape Area is another point of connection: Rostejn is associated with this protected area. The local points of interest therefore include individual buildings and observations of nature, as well as a broader landscape context.

Hiking Trails and Planned Footpath Project

Three marked hiking trails start from Běstvina. Check the trail details locally before setting out so that your plans are based on the latest information.

A project proposes a footpath in Rostejn along road II/340, designed to accommodate people with limited mobility and orientation. A crossing point to the public transport stop on road III/344 28 is also planned. This is a planned project. If this connection is important for your trip, check in advance whether the project has been completed.

The information concerns different starting points and statuses: the marked hiking trails start from Běstvina, while the footpath project concerns Rostejn and is still planned. When planning your trip, therefore, consider the trail details and the project’s status separately. This makes clear which information relates to hiking trails and which describes a proposed footpath connection.

Choosing Rostejn as a Place to Stay

The focus of your trip may determine your choice of accommodation. If you are primarily interested in architectural history, the bell tower and chapel offer specific points of interest. If nature is your priority, you can take into account the nest on the disused chimney, the stork sighting from April 2025 and the connection with the Protected Landscape Area.

If hiking is important, include Běstvina, the stated starting point for the three marked trails, in your plans and check the trail details locally. If the planned footpath is a deciding factor, check its implementation status. This way, you can tailor your search for accommodation in Rostejn to the themes that will shape your trip, rather than treating different local points of interest or project statuses as though they were the same.

Discover more destinations: Dřenice, Bylany, Vortová, Bítovany, Bousov, Parizov, Předhradí, Nasavrky

Return to the main travel overview: Okres Chrudim.