Valy – Meanders of the Struha, History and Landscape

Valy amid stream meanders and historic traces

Valy combines a landscape with naturally developing waterways and a history dating back to the Middle Ages. The Meanders of the Struha are particularly characteristic: this nature monument lies in the cadastral area of Valy and protects the naturally developing Struha stream, its riverside vegetation, the floodplain forest and the adjacent meadows as part of the natural Elbe landscape. The Meanders of the Struha also include the original meandering bed of the Struha and the forest complex surrounding the church of Lepějovice.

This creates a destination where nature observation and historical discoveries can be closely combined. The landscape is shaped not only by the stream, but also by its connection to Lepějovice, a vanished settlement. The early history of Valy is connected with Lepějovice; the settlement was first mentioned in writing in 1167.

Hiking trail to the former site of Lepějovice

Near Valy u Přelouče, a green hiking trail leads to the former site of Lepějovice and then follows the meandering Struha stream. The historic site is therefore not merely a name from history, but part of a described route through the landscape. The route “When the Landscape Is Born – Meanders of the Struha” also begins in the municipality of Valy u Přelouče.

The Lepějovice forester’s lodge stands at the site of the vanished settlement. It is located southeast of Valy, about 100 metres southeast of the church of Lepějovice. The detached building stands at the edge of the forest, at a crossroads of field paths. Those wishing to combine different interests during their stay will find here a special combination of a former settlement, forest edge, stream and route through the landscape.

Ponds, the church and technical monuments

The water landscape around Valy also has a long history. In the mid-16th century, a relatively large pond system was created in the shallow valley of the Zlatý potok near Valy. It comprised four large stocked ponds: Valský, Hluboký, Páral and Lepějovský.

One of the notable structures is the “Z pěti kanálů” bridge, a protected technical monument dating from 1845. The Church of the Archangel Michael has a massive square tower with seven storeys. Remains of the former Valy fortress have survived in House No. 15; its outer masonry contains remnants of the old structure. Valy therefore offers several different historical points of interest, so you do not have to limit yourself to a single attraction.

Guidance for choosing where to stay

For travel orientation, the Valy u Přelouče stop is listed on the Přelouč–Heřmanův Městec route. When choosing where to stay, you can therefore first decide whether to focus on the Meanders of the Struha natural area, the traces of Lepějovice, historic buildings or the combination of these themes along the described routes.

Other places at this level

Other places at this level include Ostřešany Ostřešany, Chvojenec Chvojenec, Rohovládova Bělá Rohovládova Bělá, Trusnov Trusnov, Černá U Bohdanče Černá U Bohdanče, Dolany Dolany, Žáravice Žáravice and Jezbořice Jezbořice.

To the higher-level travel overview: Pardubice District.