Ždánice lies on the edge of Svratecká hornatina Nature Park. Here, village history can be combined with walks, a route that passes through the village, and seasonal opportunities for cross-country skiing. This mix offers a practical point of reference when choosing accommodation: you can take into account both historical details and routes in the surrounding area.
Nature park and routes around Ždánice
Svratecká hornatina Nature Park protects the varied landscape of the Moravian foothills of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands. Its area includes the valley of the Svratka and its tributaries, as well as distinctive settlements and monuments. Ždánice lies on the edge of this nature park; its protected landscape provides the wider regional setting for a stay.
The forests near Ždánice are well suited to walks. One named route is the Cyril and Methodius Trail: it passes through the village and reaches Bystřice nad Pernštejnem via the Rácová walking area and its ponds. On this route, the village, the Rácová area and Bystřice are therefore all part of the same itinerary.
In winter, cross-country ski trails near Ždánice offer the possibility of connecting to the Nové Město na Moravě ski area. The trails are thus a seasonal addition to the walking options. For planning purposes, the options differ primarily in season and type of activity: walks in nearby forests versus cross-country skiing in winter.
A cycling loop and its route
Another option is the cycling loop through the Zubří area. It is approximately 70 km long and runs mostly on paved roads. It passes through Ždánice along cycle route 5180 in the direction of Karasín. As a loop with an approximate total length, it is laid out differently from a walk in the nearby forests; the fact that it runs mostly on paved roads is another specific feature of the route.
Village history at specific locations
House No. 18 in Ždánice is an example of 18th-century folk architecture. Several crosses also point to specific locations and years: near the former school stands an iron cross dating from 1933. A marble cross was erected in the village park in 1918 and restored in 1949. An iron cross dating from 1881 stands in the fields towards Bystřice.
Historical connections go back further. Ownership of Ždánice by Doubravník Monastery is documented from 1335. The village belonged to the Pernštejn family until 1409; the Kos family is documented in Ždánice until 1538. The place is also connected biographically through the father of sculptor Vincenc Makovský, who came from Ždánice. These details complement the architectural and monument-related information with different historical periods and personal connections.
Destinations nearby
The Aueršperk Castle ruins are nearby. They are freely accessible via a terrace path from the valley floor, as well as by a direct ascent from the south. The Karasín observation tower can be accessed every day of the year. Both destinations offer a different focus from the history of Ždánice: at Aueršperk, the castle ruins and their described access routes take centre stage, while at Karasín, it is the observation tower.
The Pyšolec Castle ruins are also in the nearby area. They can be reached from Zubštejn via a red-marked trail. These add further named destinations to walks, cross-country skiing and the cycling loop, without necessarily being part of the same route.
Discover more destinations: Jimramov, Polnička, Unčín, Matějov, Vír, Strážek, Věchnov, Sulkovec.
For the broader travel overview: Žďár nad Sázavou District.
