Discover Žichlínek through two distinct themes: the town’s Baroque and historical heritage and the waterscape of the Žichlínek dry reservoir. This outline can help you plan your trip: the church, statue and sculpture group represent the area’s cultural history, while the reservoir’s meanders, wetlands, walking path, cycle path and birdwatching offer different possibilities. This way, you can decide whether to devote more of your time to the historic buildings, the landscape or a mix of both.

Church, artworks and history

The Baroque Church of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist was built between 1718 and 1725 and is a protected cultural monument. A statue of Saint John of Nepomuk, dating from 1755, stands in front of the church. Near the road to Rychnov is also the sculptural ensemble of the Holy Trinity, dating from 1778. The dates form a chronological sequence, from the construction of the church to the statue and then the later ensemble. Those interested in architectural and religious history can view these works as different examples of local art history. Another natural feature is the protected winter lime tree, with a trunk circumference of 6.7 metres.

Krotenful offers a different perspective on Žichlínek’s past. The former water castle stood in the southern part of the cadastral area and was built in two sections, separated by wide ditches. The site was completely destroyed in 1842 during construction of the railway embankment on the Olomouc–Prague line. No remains are visible today. Krotenful is therefore about the history of a vanished site, not a visit to visible castle ruins. This distinction helps set the historic buildings apart from the castle site known through historical records.

Wetlands at the Žichlínek dry reservoir

In the area of the Žichlínek dry reservoir, the Moravská Sázava meanders, forming ponds, pools and wetlands. Native plants, animals and birds can be found there. This creates a separate landscape focus alongside the town’s buildings, which you can include in your plans if you are particularly interested in nature and waterways.

The reservoir area is also a place for birdwatching: ornithologists from across the country observe the Eurasian oystercatcher there. A 2018 report also mentioned the return of the peregrine falcon and the Ural owl. The presence of individual species can vary by season. If you are particularly interested in birds, bear this seasonal aspect in mind rather than counting on a particular sighting.

On foot, by bike and looking for accommodation

You can walk for 1.5 kilometres along the embankment of the dry reservoir. A cycle path also runs along the embankment, leading to Moravská Třebová or Lanškroun. This gives you different ways to explore the reservoir area: a walk along the embankment or a bike ride to either of these destinations. The walking distance and the cycle path’s named destinations give you specific points to help decide which option best suits your plans.

A 2011 travel guide describes the road between Žichlínek and Rychnov na Moravě as the easiest way to reach the dry reservoir. Check local road conditions before setting out.

When looking for a holiday apartment, you can plan around your trip’s main focus: first decide whether the cultural monuments or the dry reservoir will be at the centre of your visit.

Discover more destinations: Semanín, Pastviny, Šedivec, Řetůvka, Vračovice-Orlov, Letohrad, Cotkytle, Sopotnice.

See the regional travel overview: Ústí nad Orlicí District.