Červená Hora brings together medieval castle history, literary connections, a chapel and routes that pass through the village. Babiččino údolí National Nature Monument is also connected to the municipality. This means you can choose from a range of interests during your stay: local history and architecture, literary heritage, walking routes or the landscape along the Úpa River.
Červená Hora Castle: Location and History
The ruins of Červená Hora Castle lie about one kilometre west of the village, on a rocky rise above the Úpa River. The castle was built between 1253 and 1278 on a hill of red sandstone. The Hussites destroyed it in 1427; it was never rebuilt. The construction and destruction mark two distinct stages in its history.
The castle was also part of a wider network: together with Vízmburk and Rýzmburk, it was one of three fortified strongholds at important crossroads of the Kłodzko-Polish and Úpa trade routes. Those interested in local history can therefore learn not only about the development of a single castle, but also about the trade routes of the time.
Chapel and Literary Connections
The Chapel of the Virgin Mary, with its small bell tower, was built in 1870 and is a cultural monument. Its architectural features include a square masonry base and a truncated hipped roof covered with shingles. Above these are a lantern, an onion dome and a cross. A cross dating from 1908 stands near the chapel. The year it was built, its roof shape and the two cross features provide specific points of reference for the local cultural heritage.
Another connection is to literature: Červená Hora is the birthplace of Viktorie Židová, who inspired Božena Němcová’s character Viktorka in “Babička”. Part of the plot of Alois Jirásek’s chronicle “U nás” is also connected with the village. These references differ: one concerns the inspiration for a literary character, the other the plot of a chronicle.
Routes and Landscape Along the Úpa
The Justynčina stezka passes through Červená Hora and is suitable for pedestrians and cyclists. If you plan to take this route, check the trail conditions before your trip. Another option is the 35-kilometre “Po stopách bojů války 1866” route, which also passes through Červená Hora. The two details offer different kinds of guidance: the Justynčina stezka is identified as suitable for pedestrians and cyclists, while the other route’s total length is given.
Part of Babiččino údolí National Nature Monument lies within the cadastral area of Červená Hora. In the municipality’s planning area, the nature monument encompasses the Úpa River valley, meadows in its floodplain and mixed forests on the adjacent slopes, with rock outcrops. Alongside the castle and literary history, the river valley, floodplain and wooded slopes are distinct landscape features. These details describe the character of the nature monument without equating the part within the municipality with the entire valley.
When choosing a holiday apartment, these different interests can help guide your decision: the castle links a specific place to a history with dates, the chapel offers architectural details, and the literary connections provide another way to discover Červená Hora. If you are more interested in routes or scenery, you can make the Justynčina stezka, the 35-kilometre route that passes through the village and the area within Babiččino údolí separate topics in your trip planning.
Discover more destinations: Hejtmánkovice, Bozanov, Slatina Nad Úpou, Chvalkovice V Cechách, Bezděkov Nad Metují, Zábrodí, Mezilesí, Chlivce.
For the overview of the wider area: Náchod District.
