Valy – Stream Landscape and Historical Traces

Meandry Struhy, the former settlement of Lepějovice and historic buildings give Valy a range of distinctive features. When planning a stay, you can focus separately on nature, walking routes and local history: the stream landscape represents the natural environment, Lepějovice its historical connection with Valy, and the buildings tangible architectural or structural traces.

Nature along the Struha

The Meandry Struhy natural monument lies within the cadastral area of Valy. It protects the naturally evolving Struha stream, its bankside vegetation, floodplain forest and adjoining meadows as part of the natural Elbe landscape. The natural monument also includes the Struha’s original meandering channel and the woodland complex around the church in Lepějovice. Nature lovers can therefore take in not only the course of the stream, but also its banks, floodplain forest and meadows.

The history of the ponds

The history of the ponds offers a different perspective on the past. In the mid-16th century, a comparatively large pond system was created in the shallow valley of the Zlatý potok near Valy. It included four large stocking ponds: Valský, Hluboký, Páral and Lepějovský. In contrast to the protected stream, this reflects an earlier form of landscape design; the pond system and the natural monument offer different perspectives on the history of Valy’s landscape.

Lepějovice and walking routes

Valy’s early history is connected with the vanished settlement of Lepějovice. Its first written mention dates to 1167. Near Valy u Přelouče, a green-marked walking trail leads to the former settlement and continues alongside the meandering Struha stream. The trail thus connects a historical point of interest with the landscape along the stream. Check the trail markings before setting out.

For planning your outings, the landmarks differ: the green-marked walking trail leads to the former settlement of Lepějovice and then along the stream; the route “Když se rodí krajina – Meandry Struhy” starts in the municipality of Valy u Přelouče. Check current information about the route before your trip.

Church, forester’s lodge and fortress

The Church of St Michael the Archangel has a massive, square, seven-storey tower. Lepějovice Forester’s Lodge stands on the site of the vanished settlement, southeast of Valy and about 100 metres southeast of the church in Lepějovice. It is a detached building at the edge of the forest, at a crossroads of farm tracks. The distance of about 100 metres refers to the church in Lepějovice; Valy is the reference point for the stated direction.

The exterior masonry of private house No. 15 contains remnants of the former fortress of Valy. The structural features highlight different aspects: the church tower’s shape and number of storeys, the forester’s lodge’s location and surroundings, and the surviving masonry remains of the former fortress.

Discover more destinations: Veselí, Rohovládova Bělá, Přepychy, Jezbořice, Choteč, Stéblová, Stojice, Barchov.

For the broader travel overview: Okres Pardubice.