Leštinka brings together the history of granite quarrying and a distinctive diving site: Lom Leštinka features training platforms and an underwater open-air museum. At the same time, paths and structures tell the story of the former work in the quarries. For your planning, it is important to distinguish between diving and swimming: public swimming is not permitted at Divepark Leštinka.

Rolling countryside and quarry history

The village lies in the hilly outskirts of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands, between Skuteč and Vrbatův Kostelec. The lower part of the village stretches along a gorge on the right bank of the Žejbro stream. A complex of disused quarries is located on the Horka hill. These include Andrůzův lom, Zvěřinov, Kaňon, Leštinka II – Ekhardka, Holubák and Družstvo. Quarrying ceased at the end of the last century.

In the first half of the 20th century, Leštinka was an important centre of granite quarrying. At the time, 400 to 500 stonemasons worked in the surrounding quarries. Traces of this industrial history can also be seen in the infrastructure: a viaduct and a dismantled, overgrown railway siding from the “Mikšov” quarry to Žďárec u Skutče have been preserved.

The quarry area may be visited only with the owners’ permission and in compliance with safety and organisational and technical regulations. Therefore, do not plan to explore it as if the abandoned sites were freely accessible.

Historical traces in the village and its surroundings

An iron cross with Christ, erected in 1833, stands in the upper village square. An older bell from 1832 comes from Leštinka’s wooden bell tower and is now built into the roof of the fire station. Both are reminders of the village’s long history, while also showing different ways in which historic structures have been preserved.

In the adjacent Dusaveci forest is the artificial Drápka cave, hewn into a sandstone block. The remains of the medieval hrádek Cejřov are also located near Leštinka. They lie above the left bank of the Žejbro; a high, well-preserved circular rampart and a ditch remain. Cejřov is therefore an archaeological trace in the landscape, not a fully preserved castle complex.

An exhibition at the Městské muzeum Skuteč documents the history of stone quarrying and processing associated with Leštinka. Before travelling, check whether the exhibition is open to visitors.

Diving at Lom Leštinka

Lom Leštinka has a terraced underwater profile and reaches a depth of about 26 metres. Training platforms at depths of 3, 6 and 13 metres are available for diver training. The underwater open-air museum begins at 13 metres: objects described there include wooden houses, rails, pickaxes and mine carts. The different depths and submerged mining objects give the quarry its own industrial theme underwater.

Both complete beginners and experienced divers can dive at Divepark. Introductory dives are accompanied by an experienced certified diving instructor, who explains the process and helps with putting on the equipment. The water is accessed via a spacious jetty, which is also suitable for larger groups of divers. However, diving is not a public swimming offer: public swimming is not permitted at Divepark.

For family recreation, Lom Leštinka offers a pirate ship for children, a sand play area, a swing and a climbing frame. Ice diving is possible at Leštinka in winter if the water surface freezes over. This condition is essential: a freezing surface does not guarantee that ice diving will be available as a winter activity.

More ways to explore

A signposted local cycling route runs through the northern part of Leštinka. Check the signs and route before setting off. Those interested in the connection between the landscape and the village’s history can also consider the location of the lower part of the village along the Žejbro alongside traces of former quarrying and the historic structures in the village.

Leštinka thus offers several distinct ways to experience the region: diving at the quarry, the history of granite extraction, and individual historic traces in the village and its surroundings. When planning, take into account the access conditions for the quarry area and the specific activity that interests you.

Discover more destinations: Bor U Skutce, Trojovice, Klešice, Bylany, Prosetín, Svídnice, Lany, Míčov-Sušice

For the regional travel overview: Chrudim District.