Discover Žichlínek

Two distinct themes shape a trip to Žichlínek: local history and the natural landscape at the dry polder. When looking for a hotel for your stay, you can plan your trip around whether you are more interested in historic buildings and monuments or in the landscape, water and birdwatching. Local history includes a Baroque church, dated works of art and the story of a destroyed water castle. At the dry polder, the river, wetlands and paths instead make nature and outdoor activities the main focus.

Church, monuments and the vanished water castle

The Baroque Church of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist was built between 1718 and 1725 and is a protected cultural monument. A statue of Saint John of Nepomuk, dating from 1755, stands in front of the building. The sculptural group of the Holy Trinity dates from 1778 and is located near the road to Rychnov. The dates 1718–1725, 1755 and 1778 place the church and works of art in a clear chronological sequence.

The former Krotenful water castle is part of the area's older history. It stood in the southern part of the cadastral area of Žichlínek and consisted of two sections separated by wide moats. The castle was completely destroyed in 1842 during the construction of the railway embankment on the Olomouc–Prague line; no remains are visible today. This sets Krotenful apart from the named monuments: the castle is part of the area's history, but it is not a site visible today. Those interested in local history will find both preserved or named cultural monuments and the story of a vanished building here.

Nature and outdoor activities at the Žichlínek dry polder

The natural landscape at the Žichlínek dry polder offers a different focus from the monuments. The Moravská Sázava meanders through this area, forming ponds, pools and wetlands. Native plants, animals and birds are also part of the landscape. Watercourses and wetland habitats define this nature-focused part of the trip, making it easy to distinguish in your planning from a focus on local history.

You can walk for over 1.5 kilometres along the dry polder's embankment. A cycle path also runs along the embankment, leading to Moravská Třebová or Lanškroun. This offers two distinct options for planning: a specific walking route and a cycle path with these stated destinations. You can decide whether to explore the embankment on foot or include the designated cycling route as part of your trip.

The birdlife is another special feature of the area. A 2018 report describes ornithologists from across the country observing the Eurasian oystercatcher at the dry polder. It also mentions the return of the peregrine falcon and the Ural owl. Which species can be seen there may vary by season, so these birds are potential observation highlights, not guaranteed sightings on every visit.

For your travel plans, the distinction is clear: cultural heritage sites can be understood through their architectural styles, locations and dates, while the dry polder is defined by its waterside landscape, embankment and seasonal nature observation opportunities.

Discover more destinations: Sudslava, Lisnice, Zbudov, Kosořín, Zářecká Lhota, Nekor, Petrovice, Jablonne Nad Orlici.

For the regional travel overview: Okres Ústí Nad Orlicí.