A challenging 46 km cycling route passes through Horní Paseka. Other historic landmarks include the Church of St. Vitus in Zahrádka, the nearby ruins of Melechov Fortress, and Křižná studánka in the cadastral area of Horní Paseka.

Cultural History in Zahrádka

The Church of St. Vitus in Zahrádka is originally Romanesque; partially preserved Gothic wall paintings add to the history of the building. It is the last surviving building on the former square of Zahrádka. Its first direct mention in a written document appears in a deed of gift by Přemysl Otakar I dated 26 June 1219. The church is an immovable cultural monument in the cadastral area of Horní Paseka.

A well in Zahrádka’s square also tells a story of changes in the area: it was renovated in 1906, when the wooden pipes were replaced with stoneware pipes. A statue of the Virgin Mary was restored in 2024 and returned to its original location. The church and cemetery in Zahrádka are in water protection zone II. Before visiting, check the applicable protection rules.

Tours and Events

The European Heritage Days programme in Zahrádka includes guided tours of the Church of St. Vitus. Hradozámecká noc is also held there every year. The Zahrádecká pouť takes place in Zahrádka (Horní Paseka–Ledeč nad Sázavou). If you are planning to attend an event or tour, check the relevant dates and current programme before your visit.

Landscape and Historic Sites

The Church of St. Vitus stands on the shore of the Švihov Reservoir on the Želivka River. The ruins of Melechov Fortress lie in the vicinity of Horní Paseka. The ruins include a tower, extensive remains of walls, ditches, and a dried-up pond. The fortress served to protect the historic land route from Austria to Kutná Hora. The ruins are freely accessible; check access conditions before your visit, as they may change.

Křižná studánka is a pilgrimage site with a chapel dedicated to the Most Holy Trinity. It lies in the deep forests of Melechov Nature Park, in the cadastral area of the municipality of Horní Paseka. The area around Melechov Hill is used by mountain bikers and runners.

Cycling Route and Planning Your Stay

The Městečko pod hladinou cycling route passes through Horní Paseka and is 46 km long. It is classified as challenging and runs mainly along forest and field paths and roads. From Horní Paseka, the route continues along a forest road to Křižná studánka. However, no marked hiking trail leads to Křižná studánka. Before setting out, check the current route status and take these differing route details into account when planning.

When looking for a hotel in Horní Paseka, you can first decide what you want to focus on during your stay: the cycling route passes through the village, while the Church of St. Vitus is in Zahrádka. Křižná studánka is in the cadastral area of the municipality of Horní Paseka; the ruins of Melechov Fortress are nearby. This helps keep the locations geographically distinct as you decide which themes matter for planning your trip.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Kamenná Lhota, Trpišovice, Lípa, Herálec, Havlíčkova Borová, Podmoklany, Úsobí, Bělá

For the wider travel overview: Havlíčkův Brod District.