Žďárec – Discover Castles, River Valleys and Ponds

Žďárec combines historic traces with a landscape shaped by rivers, ponds and trails. The town lies in the foothills of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands; the area around Žďárec is shaped by the two rivers Bobrůvka and Libochůvka.

Historic Traces in and around Žďárec

A prominent landmark of the town is the Church of Saints Peter and Paul. It was originally early Gothic and later received a massive Baroque tower. Its early Gothic core was built around 1260; Gothic frescoes have also been preserved in the presbytery of the parish church. The early Gothic core is therefore significantly older than the Baroque tower added later. The older part of Žďárec lies in the Libochůvka floodplain, directly connecting the historic town structure with the river landscape.

The Gothic ruins of Víckov Castle are located in the Víckov district. Its remains are protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic and are considered a valuable archaeological and cultural-historical monument. The castle stands on a rocky spur above the Loučka near the Víckovský potok. The two Valík mills in Žďárec provide another historic feature. The Havlov summer residence estate is also part of the town’s history: it was built in 1908 on a spur above the Bobrůvka in the cadastral area of Žďárec. A spur is a projecting section of terrain; at Havlov, it lies above the Bobrůvka, while at the ruins it lies above the Loučka. With its construction date of 1908, Havlov belongs to a much later period than the early Gothic core of the parish church.

Trails through the Valleys and to the Ruins

Those who want to explore Žďárec on foot will find a variety of landscapes. The Horní Řeky trail begins at the Žďárec cemetery and leads to the remains of Žďárec Fortress. The Dolní Řeky trail runs through the lower part of Žďárec along the Bobrůvka valley and through a holiday-home area.

The approximately 40-kilometre cycling route along the Libochovka includes the section between Žďárec and Dolní Loučky.

Ponds for Summer and Winter Activities

People swim at Starý rybník in summer. In winter, the pond is used for ice skating and playing hockey. For almost the entire year, it also serves local anglers. Nový rybník offers another spot for fishing; there are seats on its shore, suitable for a picnic by the water.

Next to the school canteen in Žďárec, there is a playground with play equipment for children and adults.

Getting There and Other Places

Žďárec is integrated into the South Moravian integrated transport system, which provides connections to Tišnov and Brno. Řikonín railway station is less than 3 kilometres from Žďárec.

Other places in this selection include: Drahonín, Stanoviště, Borovník, Horní Loučky, Maršov, Rojetín, Sivice and Kupařovice.

For the broader travel overview: Brno-Country District.