Starý Dvůr – Trails, Nature and History

Starý Dvůr combines diverse landscapes, cycle paths and history within a compact thematic area. If you would like to combine experiences in nature with cultural discoveries on your trip to the Czech Republic, you will find various points of interest here: The area belongs to the Železné hory microregion, Lichnice Castle shapes the history of the region, and several paths lead through gorges, valleys and protected landscapes.

Educational Trail, Gorges and Protected Nature

The Lichnice–Kaňkovy hory educational trail covers forestry as well as the fauna and flora of the Železné hory region. Its route ends at a path junction at the confluence of the Starodvorská and the Hedvikovská Gorge. This gorge is located in the Lichnice geological locality and divides in the direction of Kraskov and Starý Dvůr. The educational trail thus brings together natural history topics and a striking landscape formation.

Hedvičino Valley is the valley of the Zlatý potok, which rises from the Pekelské rybníky ponds. The history of the bodies of water is also part of the landscape: Mádlův rybník pond lies on the site of the former manorial Cihelna pond. The Lichnice locality is protected as a National Nature Reserve within the Železné hory Protected Landscape Area. When choosing accommodation, the desired combination of nature observation, walking paths and cultural history is therefore especially important for orientation.

Lichnice and the History of the Surrounding Area

In the surroundings of Starý Dvůr, the ruins of Lichnice Castle stand on a rocky hill 480 metres high. The Milada observation tower is located in one of its towers. The castle was founded around 1250 and demolished in 1649 on the special orders of Ferdinand III. Here, therefore, you encounter not only a medieval castle complex but also a place with clearly traceable historical ruptures.

Another gateway to regional history is the book “Jak šel čas pod Lichnicí”, published in December 2023. It covers the history of Třemošnice and the local parts of Kubíkovy Duby, Hedvikov, Závratec, Lhůty, Podhradí, Starý Dvůr and Skoranov from the 13th century to 1945. The book is available for purchase at the Třemošnice library.

Cycling and Local Architectural Heritage

Cycle Route 1 in the Železné hory microregion runs through Starý Dvůr between Ronov nad Doubravou and the Seč–Trhová Kamenice–Hlinsko section. The “Okolo Seče” cycling circuit also starts and ends in Starý Dvůr.

The local cultural heritage of Starý Dvůr includes a cast-iron cross on a sandstone pedestal and a modern bell tower from the 20th century. House No. 4, built in the late Classicist style, was converted from a log construction into a solid masonry building before 1872. For further travel destinations, you can also explore Kostelec U Heřmanova Městce, Trhová Kamenice, Prachovice, Bousov, Zderaz, Peralec, Načešice and Třibřichy .

For the broader travel overview: Chrudim District.