Krouna: Natural Environment and Architectural Heritage

When planning a stay in Krouna, its natural and cultural history offer different points of reference. The southern part of Krouna lies within the Žďárské vrchy Protected Landscape Area; churches, a farmstead monument and the tradition of painted wooden toys offer further themes to explore. This can help you decide whether to focus your trip more on natural monuments or on history and architectural heritage.

Nature and Protected Landscape

The municipality is home to the 37.72-hectare Bučina–Spálený kopec Natural Monument, designated in 2010. It protects near-natural spruce-beech forest communities, as well as the protected bird species boreal owl (Aegolius funereus), black woodpecker (Dryocopus martius) and stock dove (Columba oenas). The combination of forest communities and protected bird species shows that the conservation objectives cover both habitats and individual species.

Another natural monument is U Tučkovy hájenky, which extends from the territory of Svratouch into Krouna. The rare protected superb pink (Dianthus superbus) also occurs in the cadastral area of Krouna. The two natural monuments have different geographical locations: Bučina–Spálený kopec is in Krouna, while U Tučkovy hájenky extends from the territory of Svratouch into Krouna.

Churches, Buildings and Traditions

The Catholic Church of St. Michael the Archangel is a Baroque building dating from the second half of the 18th century. It stands on the site of a Gothic parish church mentioned as early as 1350. The year 1350 refers to the mention of the Gothic parish church; the Baroque building, by contrast, dates from the second half of the 18th century.

The Protestant congregation in Krouna is also part of the area’s religious history. It was founded after the 1781 Patent of Toleration as the first Reformed congregation in Bohemia. This adds the history and place of a religious congregation as another perspective alongside the church buildings.

Bukáčkův statek, No. 61, is a significant surviving monument of folk architecture from the early 19th century. A valuable Renaissance baptismal font from the 16th century has also been preserved in Krouna. The traditional production of painted wooden toys is another feature associated with Krouna, and continues to represent the municipality at home and abroad.

The cultural heritage spans several periods, from the Gothic parish church mentioned in 1350 and the 16th-century Renaissance baptismal font to the Baroque building and the farmstead monument from the early 19th century. This makes it possible to place the different architectural and artistic works in their respective eras.

Arriving by Train

Krouna zastávka station is a useful reference point for travelling by rail. It is on railway line 261 from Svitavy to Žďárec u Skutče and is part of the IREDO integrated transport system. The route information gives the line number and its two endpoints; IREDO membership adds information about the station’s inclusion in the integrated transport system. Since specific train services and timetables may change, check the current connection before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Ctětín, Bousov, Hrochův Týnec, Nabočany, Skuteč, Raná U Hlinska, Vojtěchov, Ronov Nad Doubravou.

For the regional travel overview: Chrudim District.