Žichlínek: Dry Polder, Culture and Trails

Žichlínek combines remarkable cultural monuments with a landscape that is particularly represented by the Žichlínek Dry Polder. Between the historic church, the history of the former Krotenful water castle and the paths along the embankment, the place presents a diverse picture.

Nature at the Žichlínek Dry Polder

The Žichlínek Dry Polder is most easily reached via the road between Žichlínek and Rychnov na Moravě. Along the embankment, you can walk for more than 1.5 kilometres. A cycle path also runs there, leading as far as Moravská Třebová or Lanškroun. The embankment therefore offers a clearly defined route for a walk as well as a connection for a cycling tour, without requiring you to commit to just one form of transport.

The landscape itself is also varied. The Moravská Sázava meanders through the area of the Žichlínek Dry Polder, forming ponds, pools and wetlands there. Native plants, animals and birds can be found in this area. Ornithologists from across the country observe the oystercatcher here; the peregrine falcon and Ural owl, among others, have also returned. Those who value nature experiences when choosing accommodation will therefore find a specific landscape focus in Žichlínek, with bodies of water, wetlands and a documented bird population.

Church, Monuments and Local History

The Baroque Church of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist stands in the village. It was built between 1718 and 1725 and is protected as a listed cultural heritage monument. In front of the church stands a statue of Saint John of Nepomuk dating from 1755. Near the road to Rychnov there is also the sculptural group ensemble of the Holy Trinity from 1778. These three testimonies not only date from different periods, but also show different forms of the historic townscape: a church building, a statue of a saint and an independent sculptural ensemble.

The former Krotenful water castle is part of Žichlínek’s older history. It stood in the southern part of the cadastral area of Žichlínek and was laid out in two sections; its areas were separated from one another by wide moats. The water castle was completely destroyed in 1842 during the construction of the railway embankment of the Olomouc–Prague railway line. No remains are visible today. Krotenful is therefore not a preserved castle complex, but a historical reference point connected with the development of the local area and the far-reaching changes brought about by railway construction.

Events with Local Connections

The local cultural life included the traditional spring event “Vynášení Moreny” on 20 March 2026. It took place from 10:00 to 11:00, and the general public and parents were welcome. Another documented event was the “Slavnost světýlek” on 7 November 2023 in front of the school building in Žichlínek, featuring a traditional lantern procession. Both dates belong to the town’s past history and should not be understood as a future events calendar.

For further research when looking for accommodation in Žichlínek, this gives rise to two clearly distinguishable directions: the Baroque church and the monuments in the village, or the dry polder with its embankment, cycle path, wetlands and birdwatching. Other places to choose from include Bystřec (Bystřec), Kunvald V Cechách (Kunvald V Cechách), Sruby (Sruby), Skořenice (Skořenice), Nemcí (Nemcí), Leština (Leština), Sudslava (Sudslava) and Pastviny (Pastviny).

For the broader travel overview: Okres Ústí Nad Orlicí.