Horní Paseka between the Church of St. Vitus, the reservoir and Melechov

The Church of St. Vitus in Zahrádka is originally Romanesque and has partially preserved Gothic wall paintings. At the same time, it stands on the shore of Švihov Reservoir on the Želivka River.

The Church of St. Vitus and the history of Zahrádka

St. Vitus is the last surviving building on the former square of Zahrádka. Its first direct documentary mention appears in a deed of donation by Přemysl Otakar I dated 26 June 1219. This date makes the church a tangible historical reference point for anyone who wants to discover not only landscapes while travelling, but also the long-term development of a place.

St. Vitus is an immovable cultural monument in the cadastral area of Horní Paseka. Smaller details also tell the story of the former square: the fountain on Zahrádka Square was rebuilt in 1906. During this reconstruction, the wooden pipes were replaced with stoneware pipes.

Švihov Reservoir and its protected surroundings

The location on Švihov Reservoir on the Želivka River shapes the immediate character around the church. St. Vitus and the cemetery in Zahrádka lie in Water Protection Zone II. For your planning, this above all means a clear connection with the landscape: Horní Paseka offers not only historical sights, but also a place where water, settlement history and a protected environment are closely interconnected.

Guided tours, pilgrimages and living traditions

The church is also the venue for various events. The programme of 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. Those choosing a holiday apartment in Horní Paseka can therefore consider cultural events an important part of their travel planning without having to limit their stay to a single experience.

The Zahrádecká pouť is part of the religious and local tradition. It takes place in Zahrádka (Horní Paseka–Ledeč nad Sázavou). The original colour scheme of the restored statue of the Virgin Mary was recreated; the statue was restored and returned to its original location. Such details give the historical surroundings a tangible, concrete dimension.

Městečko pod hladinou cycling route

For active days, the Městečko pod hladinou cycling route offers a clearly described way to find your bearings. The route passes through Horní Paseka, is 46 km long and is classified as difficult. It runs mainly along forest and field paths as well as roads. From Horní Paseka, it continues along a forest road to Křižná studánka. The different road surfaces and the length of the route are just as relevant to personal day planning as its classification as a difficult route.

The Melechov hill area is used by mountain bikers and runners. The surroundings therefore cater to different forms of active movement, while the Městečko pod hladinou route provides a specific, longer route framework. For families or travel groups with different interests, it may be helpful to plan cultural visits and sporting activities separately and choose a holiday apartment according to the desired daily rhythm.

Melechov Fortress and Křižná studánka

In the surroundings of Horní Paseka, near the ruins of Melechov Fortress, there is an ensemble consisting of a tower, extensive wall remains, ditches and a dried-up pond. The ruins of Melechov Fortress are freely accessible in the surroundings of Horní Paseka. Historically, the fortress served to protect the historic road from Austria to Kutná Hora.

Křižná studánka is a pilgrimage site with the Chapel of the Most Holy Trinity. It lies in the deep forests of Melechov Nature Park in the cadastral area of the municipality of Horní Paseka. Pilgrimages take place at Křižná studánka twice a year. At the same time, no marked hiking trail leads to Křižná studánka. This difference between religious significance, a forest location and the absence of a marked hiking-trail connection is an important point for anyone who wants to plan their outing deliberately and in a way suited to their own interests.

Other places in the surroundings

For further orientation, you can also discover Jeřišno, Kožlí, Okrouhlička, Dolni Krupa, Věžnice, Dlouha Ves, Slavíkov and Vlkanov.

For the higher-level travel overview: Havlíčkův Brod District.