The ruins of Říčany Castle stand on a promontory above Mlýnský Pond and the former Lázeňský Pond, beside the Říčanský Stream. The castle, ponds and stream provide the ruins with a distinctive landscape setting, while the buildings and works of art reveal further traces of history. The Říčansko nature trail also begins at the ruins. If you would like to combine cultural themes with exercise, Říčany offers a choice of historic buildings, geological discoveries and routes of various lengths.
Castle, Church and Marian Column
The Church of St Peter and Paul preserves Gothic masonry, the base of a former tower with a groin vault, and remnants of frescoes dating from around 1400. A groin vault is a type of vault in which the ribs intersect. This means the architectural detail at the tower base can also be appreciated independently of the frescoes. The Marian Column of Říčany dates from 1699 and is considered the second-oldest Marian column in Bohemia. The fresco remnants from around 1400 and the column from 1699 create a clear contrast in time: one date indicates an approximate period, while the other specifies a particular year.
Geopark, Fossils and Astro Trail
The Říčany Geopark displays large specimens of granite, basalt, sandstone and limestone, as well as fossils and a petrified tree. The experience is not limited to exhibits: visitors can pan for garnets, explore a cave and discover fossils. The Geopark thus offers both objects to observe and activities involving rocks and fossil finds.
The Říčany Astro Trail connects the Geopark and the museum in the form of a walk through a scale model of the Solar System. It is accessible at any time on foot or by bicycle. While rocks and fossils are the focus of the Geopark, the Astro Trail makes the scale of the Solar System the subject of a route. The two attractions therefore offer different emphases: geological finds on the one hand, and a scaled-down Solar System on the other.
Two Routes of Different Lengths
The Říčansko nature trail is about 9 km long and has 18 stops. You can explore it on foot, by bicycle or in sections; it is also suitable for walking with children. A shorter option is the geolocation game “In Search of Treasure in Medieval Říčany.” It starts at Říčany Castle in the town centre and covers about 2 km through busier and quieter parts of the town. The game is aimed primarily at parents with children aged 8 and over.
In a direct comparison, the game is the shorter option; the nature trail covers more ground with its stops and can be explored in sections. This is a practical difference to consider when planning, without assuming a particular walking time. The ways of exploring also differ: one is a geolocation game, while the other is a nature trail that can be explored on foot or by bicycle.
Getting There
Jureček can be reached on foot, by bicycle or by car. You can also travel to Říčany by bus or train. When planning your journey, it helps to distinguish these options according to your destination: bus and train are options for Říčany, while the listed ways of getting there on foot, by bicycle or by car apply to Jureček. Check current bus and train times before setting off.
Discover more destinations: Struhařov, Zlonín, Škvorec, Kostelní Strimelice, Svémyslice, Mukařov, Nehvizdy, Klokočná.
For the overview of the wider region: Praha-Východ District.
