Křižanovice lies on the north shore of the Křižanovice Reservoir, within the Železné hory Protected Landscape Area. The surroundings of Křižanovice also include the Chrudimka Gorge in the Krkanka Nature Reserve, as well as visible remains of exploratory ore mining. The dam, marked trails and historic traces offer various themes to consider when planning your trip. You can focus on water engineering, protected landscapes or local history, rather than viewing the town solely in terms of the reservoir.

Dam and Water Engineering

The Křižanovice Dam is a straight concrete gravity dam. In this type of construction, the structure’s own weight counteracts the water pressure; the technical term therefore describes the construction principle. A road runs across the crest. The waterworks also include a small hydroelectric power station with a Francis turbine. The straight shape of the dam, the road across its crest and the specific type of turbine reveal different aspects of water engineering. Anyone interested in technical facilities can consider the dam and the power station as related but distinct components.

Krkanka and the Landscape

The Krkanka Nature Reserve protects a gorge of the Chrudimka near Křižanovice. Features of the gorge include frost-shattered cliffs, stone seas, scree slopes, boulder-strewn riverbeds and a waterfall. The reserve stretches along the gorge from the Křižanovice Dam to the adjoining Strádovské Peklo Nature Reserve. These two reference points help to put the extent of the protected area along the Chrudimka into perspective. Geographically, the two protected areas are distinct: Křižanovice is within the Železné hory Protected Landscape Area, while Krkanka is the nature reserve protecting the nearby gorge. Krkanka therefore represents the natural landscape along the Chrudimka, while the dam represents the technical aspect of water.

Trails and Destinations

From the dam, the same yellow-marked trail runs north to Chrudim and south to Horní Bradlo. A green-marked trail also begins at the trail junction by the dam. It is also a nature trail and passes through the Krkanka Nature Reserve. The yellow marking leads to two different destinations; the green trail also serves as a nature trail and passes through the reserve. Check the current trail markings on site before setting out.

Local History and Ore Prospecting

Local history offers two specific points of interest. Křižanovice was first mentioned in writing in 1329, and visible remains of exploratory ore mining have survived in the surrounding area. The year marks a reference point in the town’s written history; the remains point to the search for ore, a different chapter from the construction history of the dam. The written mention and the mining traces therefore represent different historical perspectives: a date associated with the town and visible material traces of ore prospecting.

Discover more destinations: Prosetín, Trojovice, Krásné, Zaječice, Kostelec U Heřmanova Městce, Vápenný Podol, Raná U Hlinska, Mrákotín

For the broader travel overview: Chrudim District.