Horní Paseka

Horní Paseka combines an unusual cultural history with routes through forests and the landscape around the Švihov Reservoir. The Church of St. Vitus in Zahrádka is particularly striking: it stands on the shore of the reservoir on the Želivka and is also an immovable cultural monument in the cadastral area of Horní Paseka. This brings medieval history, a waterscape and active experiences together within a compact thematic area.

The Church of St. Vitus and the History of Zahrádka

The Church of St. Vitus in Zahrádka was originally a Romanesque church. Partially preserved Gothic wall paintings add another historical layer to the building. The first direct documentary mention appears in a deed of donation by Přemysl Otakar I dated 26 June 1219. The historical context of the site is also particularly impressive: the church is the last surviving building on the former square of Zahrádka.

The history of the square also includes a well that was rebuilt in 1906. At that time, wooden pipes were replaced with stoneware pipes. A restored statue of the Virgin Mary was returned to its original coloring and placed back in its original location. Details such as these make Zahrádka a destination for anyone who wants to discover not only individual buildings while traveling, but also traces of former settlement areas.

The Waterscape and Protected Surroundings

The church’s location on the shore of the Švihov Reservoir on the Želivka defines the special connection between the cultural monument and the waterscape. The Church of St. Vitus and the cemetery in Zahrádka lie within water protection zone II. This protected-area designation helps with orientation on site and also shows that the surroundings are perceived not only as a historic setting, but also as a sensitive landscape area.

Cycling Around Horní Paseka

For active days, the “Městečko pod hladinou” cycling route offers a specific starting point: it passes through Horní Paseka, is 46 km long and is classified as challenging. Its route runs mainly along forest and field tracks as well as roads. From Horní Paseka, the route also continues via a forest road to Křižná studánka.

The route thus connects several different landscape and cultural themes without turning them into a single excursion destination. The Melechov hill area is used by mountain bikers and runners. Anyone researching accommodation in Horní Paseka can therefore choose between a cultural and historical focus around Zahrádka and a more active stay with cycling or running destinations in the Melechov area, without attributing additional characteristics to either experience.

Melechov, Křižná studánka and Historical Traces

The ruins of Melechov Fortress are located in the surroundings of Horní Paseka. A tower, extensive remains of walls, ditches and a dried-up pond have survived there. The ruins are freely accessible. Historically, the fortress served to protect the land route from Austria to Kutná Hora. Melechov thus complements Zahrádka’s religious and settlement-history perspective with the history of a fortified site.

Křižná studánka is a pilgrimage site with a Chapel of the Most Holy Trinity. It lies deep in the forests of Melechov Nature Park in the cadastral area of the municipality of Horní Paseka. Pilgrimages take place at Křižná studánka twice a year. An important distinction to note for orientation is that no marked hiking trail leads to Křižná studánka, while the Městečko pod hladinou cycling route continues there from Horní Paseka via a forest road.

Events with a Historical and Local Character

The program of the European Heritage Days in Zahrádka includes guided tours of the Church of St. Vitus. Hradozámecká noc takes place every year in the Church of St. Vitus in Zahrádka. The Zahrádecká pouť also takes place in Zahrádka (Horní Paseka–Ledeč nad Sázavou). If you would like to plan your trip around an event, these dates offer different ways to approach the history of the place: guided tours, an annual cultural event and a local pilgrimage tradition.

Further Places for Your Research

For further research, you can also look at Dlouha Ves, Lány, Hnevkovice, Vepříkov, Kynice, Okrouhlička, Krucemburk and Loukov.

For the broader travel overview: Havlíčkův Brod District.