Silver mining and Romanesque wall paintings mark two distinct historical periods in Stříbrná Skalice. Mining shaped the development of the town in the 15th and 16th centuries; the Church of St James in Rovná contains Romanesque art from the 12th and 13th centuries. The Posázavské Beechwoods add a distinct natural attraction.

Silver History and Architecture

The silver deposits near Stříbrná Skalice were exhausted at the beginning of the 18th century, and mining came to a definitive end. This places the history of silver mining in context: it belongs to the town’s development in the 15th and 16th centuries, not to an ongoing mining tradition. Those interested in the history can thus distinguish the former importance of mining from its eventual end.

The Romanesque Church of St James in Rovná contains unique wall paintings in its interior; its unique artistic furnishings date from the 12th and 13th centuries. A visit to the interior must be arranged in advance. Confirm the visit arrangements and contact details before travelling.

The Baroque Church of St John of Nepomuk, dating from 1730, represents a different period. It stands on the site of a former castle. The surviving remains include the foundations of a round tower or deep cellar rooms; the church’s construction made use chiefly of the remains of the original castle walls. This church can also be visited by prior arrangement. Together with the Romanesque church, it shows how varied the historic buildings and their visiting arrangements are.

The town hall adds to the picture of local architecture: it was probably built around 1776–1778 and has a low, prismatic tower with an onion-shaped dome. The remains of Hrad Castle are a separate archaeological site. They lie on a prominent hill in Stříbrná Skalice; Hrad is considered an important archaeological site.

The game world of “Kingdom Come: Deliverance” is also linked to Stříbrná Skalice: the story begins there, and a decisive event takes place there. This connection adds a story from the game world to the historic sites.

The Posázavské Beechwoods and Walking Routes

The Posázavské Beechwoods are a Natura 2000 site of European importance, covering 154.4442 hectares and bearing the code CZ0210028. The protected area extends above the holiday settlement of Pyskočely and is freely accessible via forest paths. Conservation measures or forestry work may affect access; therefore, check local conditions before your visit.

Mount Baba, within the protected area, is home to the largest known population of Wood Melick (Melica uniflora) in Central Bohemia. This gives the nature theme a specific botanical focus. Visitors interested in plants and nature conservation will find not only a forest area here, but also a particularly noteworthy species and a site of regional importance.

A half-day walk from Sázavský klášter to Stříbrná Skalice is described as a hiking option. It follows both marked and unmarked paths. As route descriptions can change, check local conditions before setting out.

For your planning, different considerations matter: prior arrangements are required for visits to both churches, while the walk is described as a half-day option. The Posázavské Beechwoods are freely accessible via forest paths, although conservation measures or forestry work may change access. Choose your focus according to whether you would like to visit historic buildings and arrange access to them, or prioritise a walk and the forest area.

Discover more destinations: Čestlice, Květnice, Sulice, Dřísy, Předboj, Svědice, Jirny, Ondřejov.

For the main travel overview: Okres Praha-Východ.