On the village square in the upper part of Žďár stands the Chapel of the Holy Trinity; the red-marked Máchova cesta E10 hiking trail passes right by it. A different perspective opens up in the deep ravine from the village square to Dolní Žďár: as you walk through it, the so-called “Skalní domy” come into view. In this way, a building on the square and a connection to the landscape in the ravine stand side by side.

Chapel and Village Conservation Area

The Chapel of the Holy Trinity was built in 1784 at the community’s expense. It underwent extensive restoration in the early 1990s and was subsequently reconsecrated. Its rectangular structure ends in a semicircle. This makes its architectural form and history clear: construction and the later restoration and reconsecration are distinct stages.

Since 1995, the chalupy of Žďár, together with the village square, have formed a village conservation area. Žďár is considered a unique example of 18th- and 19th-century folk architecture. This brings together two scales: the individual building on the square and the village ensemble of chalupy and the square. The designation as folk architecture places the character of the village in the context of two centuries. The dates refer to different facts: 1995 dates the village conservation area, while 1784 marks the construction of the chapel.

Routes through the Village

An old stone lane connects the upper and lower parts of Žďár. It describes a route within the village. The route of the Máchova cesta E10 is different: the red-marked hiking trail passes right by the chapel. This gives you two distinct points of reference for finding your way—a connection between parts of the village and a marked section of trail beside a specific building. The lane indicates a connection within the village, while E10 has a clear link to the chapel.

The Skalní domy in the Ravine

The so-called “Skalní domy” are among Žďár’s most remarkable sights. They can be seen while walking through the deep ravine from the village square to Dolní Žďár. Residents use the rock houses as storage and work spaces, so they are not freely accessible. When visiting, it is important to distinguish between being able to see them and being able to enter them.

A Historical Note from Dolní Žďár

A report dated November 2, 1865, describes an iron cross on a stone plinth by the village pond in Dolní Žďár. The date belongs to the historical description of the cross. Alongside the chapel’s construction history, this adds another dated reference to the area, this time to the village pond in Dolní Žďár. These place names extend the village’s history beyond the upper village square to Dolní Žďár.

The dates tell different stories: 1784 marks the construction of the chapel, 1865 is the date of the report about the cross, the early 1990s mark the restoration, and 1995 marks the establishment of the village conservation area. This sequence distinguishes construction history, historical description, restoration, and conservation status.

Discover more destinations: Skalka U Doks, Holany, Stvolínky, Česká Lípa, Provodín, Okna, Luka, Újezd

For the broader travel overview: Česká Lípa District.