Zdounky can be explored through two clearly defined themes: architectural history and hiking. The castle and the Church of the Holy Trinity offer tangible historical points of interest; the routes of Stezky severními Chřiby connect several towns and municipalities. When planning a stay, you can first decide whether culture, outdoor activity or a combination of the two should be the main focus.

Zdounky Castle: Architecture from Several Eras

Zdounky Castle is listed as an immovable cultural monument under registration number 37881/7-6188. At its southwestern corner, the four-winged building has the projecting former tower of the original fortress. The interiors also display different architectural features: the rooms throughout the entire ground floor have Baroque vaulted ceilings, while an original chapel with a Renaissance vault has been preserved in the oldest, southern part.

The forms of the vaults create contrasting accents within the same building. Together with the former fortress tower, they make this a castle whose architectural features point to several historical layers. This combination makes the architecture a focus in its own right for a stay in Zdounky, whether or not you also plan a hike.

The Church of the Holy Trinity and Historical Details

The Church of the Holy Trinity in Zdounky is originally Gothic and was first mentioned in 1366. Its church tower was extended in 1570. These two dates offer different clues to the building’s history: the first mention points to its early recorded history, while the tower extension marks a specific later alteration.

The church stands on a steep slope near the town center, within an enclosed precinct. It also features a figural and heraldic Renaissance stone tombstone for Jan Jiří Zoubek ze Zdětína. The work is considered a unique example in Moravia. The building’s history, location and distinctive tombstone therefore come together in one place; the church offers more than a single historical point of interest for exploring Zdounky’s cultural history.

Hiking Routes and Views

Stezky severními Chřiby is a network of local tourist routes connecting Kroměříž, Zdounky, Kostelany, Kvasice and municipalities in the area. The routes are primarily intended for hiking; most are also suitable for mountain biking. This distinction is important when planning: hiking is the network’s main focus, while mountain biking is possible on most—but not all—of the routes.

One route crosses two ridges and offers wide views of Kroměříž and the surrounding area, the Hostýnské vrchy and, above all, the Chřiby. A 13.6 km route passes through Zdounky, Nětčice, Šelešovice and Soběsuky. The views and the route length are different points of reference: one describes the landscape, while the other gives a specific distance and the places it passes through. This makes it possible to consider the hiking options according to your preferred focus, without treating the stated route features as interchangeable.

Kamenec Natural Monument

The Kamenec Natural Monument features warm slopes with juniper and heat-loving flora. Numerous heat-loving insect species live in Kamenec and its surroundings; the protected praying mantis is particularly noteworthy. The nature description therefore includes both characteristic plant habitats and a specific named insect species.

Zdounky can therefore be explored through a range of interests: the castle and church represent notable architectural and cultural history, while the routes offer hikes with different points of reference. If you would like to include both in your stay, you can treat them as separate areas of interest and choose your accommodation accordingly.

Discover more destinations: Kostelec U Holešova, Rataje U Kroměříže, Hoštice, Zborovice, Chvalnov-Lísky, Soběsuky, Rajnochovice, Ludslavice.

For the main travel overview: Kroměříž District.