Štěpánov Nad Svratkou: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

Culture and History

The church in Štěpánov may have been built around 1230; experts date its construction more likely to the period after 1235. Hradisko, above Štěpánov, was fortified as early as the beginning of the region’s settlement. Trenches and remnants of walls have survived from the castle.

A Cubist building was constructed in 1923–1924 to a design by Prof. Ing. Arch. Miloslav Kopřiva (1894–1968). In the vicinity of Štěpánov nad Svratkou there is also a bunker from the Second World War, where the headquarters of the Jermark partisan brigade operated in 1944–1945.

Mining and Geology

The Havírna mining area is a significant testimony to a medieval mining, processing and settlement area due to its size and state of preservation. The site contains visible remains of silver ore mining, as well as relics of production and probably also settlement buildings.

The Hornický cechhaus Štěpánov is a small museum presenting the mining history of the area and the region’s geology. It is located in the cellar rooms of one of the oldest houses in Štěpánov and provides an insight into the Štěpánov ore district, formerly known for the mining of silver, copper and lead ores. A visit to the Hornický cechhaus must be arranged in advance.

Nature

Štěpánov nad Svratkou is part of the Svratecká hornatina Nature Park. The protected natural area includes the U Hamů Natural Monument, covering an area of 3.1782 hectares. In the cadastral territory of Borovec, it protects a dry slope with xerothermic vegetation, including juniper and the cross gentian.

The Nad koupalištěm Natural Monument comprises a mosaic of small-scale habitats shaped by extensive agriculture and characterised by near-natural conditions. The common orchid as well as the critically endangered species cuckoo orchid and burnt orchid occur there. The protected area of U Hamrů belongs to Štěpánov and is located in the Svratecká hornatina Nature Park.

Educational Trail and Climbing

The Štěpánovský čtyřlístek is a 14 km-long educational trail. It begins at the school in Štěpánov nad Svratkou and passes sites connected with the historical mining of non-ferrous metal ores. The educational trail has eleven stops with information about local history, nature and folk architecture.

In the immediate vicinity of Štěpánov lies Vysoká skála, an approximately 50-metre-high vertical rock face used by climbers. The routes most frequently climbed at Vysoká skála include Malinová, Osiková, Západní hrana and Plavovláska.

Other places: Nyklovice, Cikháj, Hamry Nad Sázavou, Nové Mesto Na Morave, Sulkovec, Bory, Nová Ves U Nového Města Na Moravě, Vlkov

To the higher-level travel overview: Okres Žďár Nad Sázavou.