Leštinka: Granite History, Quarries and Diving

If you are considering Leštinka as a destination for a hotel stay, its granite history, the landscape along the Žejbro and the Lom dive site shape the picture of the place. The quarries are part of both the municipality’s past and its present-day diving offer.

Landscape and Granite History

Leštinka lies in the hilly fringe of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands between Skuteč and Vrbatův Kostelec. The lower part of the village stretches through a gorge along the right bank of the Žejbro stream. The landscape and the village’s history can be viewed together: the valley gives the place its shape, while granite quarrying has shaped its past.

In the first half of the 20th century, Leštinka was an important centre of granite quarrying. Between 400 and 500 stonemasons worked in the surrounding quarries at the time. On the Horka hill is a system of disused quarries, including Andrůzův lom, Zvěřinov, Kaňon, Leštinka II – Ekhardka, Holubák and Družstvo. Quarrying ceased at the end of the last century.

Traces of the historic quarry railway are also part of the area’s mining history. A viaduct and the dismantled, overgrown railway branch line from the “Mikšov” quarry to Žďárec u Skutče have been preserved. A diving school was established at the Družstvo quarry; this historical fact should be distinguished from today’s diving opportunities.

Local Architectural and Landscape Heritage

An iron cross with Christ, erected in 1833, stands in the upper village square. Another trace of local history is the bell from 1832, which once belonged to a wooden bell tower and is now built into the roof of the fire station. Both examples show how older heritage has been preserved in different places around the village.

In the adjacent Dusaveci forest is the artificial Drápka cave, carved into a sandstone block. Near Leštinka are also the remains of the medieval small castle of Cejřov, dating from the 12th and 13th centuries, above the left bank of the Žejbro. A high, well-preserved circular rampart with a moat remains there. The cave and the fortification add further evidence from the surrounding area to the local history shaped by the quarries.

Lom Leštinka Dive Site

Lom Leštinka has a terraced underwater profile and is up to about 26 metres deep. The underwater open-air museum begins at a depth of 13 metres. It includes wooden houses, rails, pickaxes and mine carts. For divers, the history of quarrying comes together here with an underwater landscape featuring different depth zones.

Lom Leštinka has training platforms at depths of 3, 6 and 13 metres for diver training. At Divepark Leštinka, access to the water is via a spacious jetty, which is also suitable for larger groups of divers. Both complete beginners and experienced divers can dive at the dive park. During introductory dives, an experienced certified dive instructor guides the process, explains each step and helps with putting on the equipment.

For family recreation, Lom Leštinka offers a pirate ship for children, a sand play area, a swing and a climbing frame. So, alongside diving opportunities, there are specific facilities for families. This should be distinguished from swimming: public swimming is not permitted at Divepark Leštinka. A visit to the quarry area is possible only with the owners’ consent and in compliance with the safety and organisational and technical regulations.

In winter, ice diving is possible at Leštinka if the water surface freezes over. This activity therefore depends on an ice cover forming. If you are planning a visit to the quarry area, take the applicable access conditions into account; they apply regardless of whether you are interested in the underwater objects, the training platforms or the surrounding area.

Discover more destinations: Prosetín, Chrudim, Čankovice, Luže, Hošťalovice, Všeradov, Vojtěchov, Lany.

For the overview of the wider area: Chrudim District.