A stone dam, historic landmarks and a moderately challenging cycling route give Pastviny different focal points for a stay. The village lies in the Mladkovská vrchovina, the lowest part of the Eagle Mountains. Here, you can explore the landscape, local history and cycling as separate interests rather than having to combine them into a set itinerary.
Landscape and Notable Landmarks
Pastviny Dam is the last dam in the Czech Republic to be built of stone. The memorial linden trees known as Vejdovy lĂpy are also among the village’s named features: they stand by the U VejdĹŻ farmstead. One of the trees is estimated to be 850 years old. This age estimate refers to a single tree, not all the lindens.
The landmarks have different features. The dimensions of the reinforced-concrete viaduct’s two arch openings are notable: each has a clear span of 50 metres. The viaduct is a Class I bridge. By contrast, the history of the Kravà skok iron bridge gives it a special connection to the area: it was built over the Divoká Orlice in 1905 and moved to its present location above Bublačka Bay before the valley was flooded.
Traces of Pastviny’s History
The first historical mention of Pastviny dates to 1514; the village was formerly called Pastwinie. Other dated evidence includes the statue of Saint John of Nepomuk, erected on 26 May 1818 at Jan Hovad’s expense. The bell tower at the lower end of the village was probably built between 1780 and 1790 and was completely reconstructed in 2010. The construction period remains a probable estimate; the year of reconstruction is clearly distinct from it.
Pastviny’s history thus encompasses different kinds of evidence: the village’s first mention, individual landmarks with their construction dates, and later changes to an existing structure. Those interested in engineering and architectural history will find two distinct examples in the viaduct and the relocated iron bridge; the statue and bell tower add further historical evidence.
Cycling: The Green Route and Traffic Conditions
The Green Route through the Zemská brána area and its surroundings is a moderately challenging cycling route. It starts at the Pastviny Tourist Information Centre and runs entirely on paved roads through a recreation area with increased motor vehicle traffic. The moderate difficulty rating provides an indication of the route; the paved surface does not mean that traffic is light.
Where the Green Route runs parallel to a hiking trail, pedestrians have priority. When planning, consider not only the difficulty level and surface, but also road traffic. Traffic conditions can change over time, so check the situation before your ride. The route offers a specific focus for cycling, while the landmarks and local history appeal to other interests.
Getting Your Bearings and Finding Accommodation
The Pastviny Tourist Information Centre provides advice on tourism, accommodation, dining and timetables. It also sells souvenirs, postcards and small treats. As seasonal opening hours may change, check them before visiting.
The information centre also advises on accommodation; its information about dining and timetables may also be useful for further planning. This lets you choose your stay based on the interests that bring you to Pastviny.
Discover more destinations: LubnĂk, PĹ™Ăvrat, Plchovice, Radhošť, Luková, HornĂ Morava, PodlesĂ, Wildenschwert.
Go to the overview of the wider region: ĂšstĂ nad OrlicĂ District.
