::::: Virtual tour :::TIPS FOR TRIPS

Toulovcovy Maštale (15 km from Litomyšl and Polička, cycle track no. 4021)
Protected natural area measuring 1083.6 ha, situated between Budislav, Proseč and Nové Hrady. The cliffs are formed from Cretaceous limestone of ocean origin. As a result of wind and water erosion deep gorges have been formed and, with gradual weathering and freestone separation, cliffs and canyons with bizarre shapes have been created. The area is associated with the tale of the robber knight Lawrence Toulovec, who hid here in the cliff seams with his entourage. That is why we use of the name Toulovcovy maštale (Toulovec Stables). The most attractive features are: Městské maštale (Town Stables), Kolumbovo vejce (Columbus's Egg), Kazatelna (the Pulpit), Dudychova jeskyně (Dudych's Cave), Panský stůl (the Lord's Table). The area may be reached via a dense network of signposted footpaths, which allow tours on foot of the area.

Košumberk (25 km from Litomyšl, 2.5 hours by cycle)
The castle was built in around 1300. Following a fire in 1573 the Slavat from Chlum and Košumberk family, who owned the building, rebuilt the castle in a renaissance style. After the Thirty Years' War, during which the Slavat family was reduced to poverty, the castle was sold to the Jesuits of Hradec Králové. The last owners were the Thurn und Taxis family. Nowadays the ruins are open to the public, and in the burgrave building there is a museum with a collection of items relating to the castle and the Hams sanatorium in Luže.

Nové Hrady (15 km from Litomyšl, 1 hour by cycle, cycle track no. 4021)
the castle was built by Z. Kostka of Postupice in the mid 15th century on the hill known as Starý zamek (Old castle). Of the circular castle, only part of the fortifications remain, as do part of the walls and a section of the ramparts. The entire hill was subsequently made into a park. In 1767 the Stations of the Cross were built on the southern side. The new castle was built in 1774-1777 by Jan Antonín Harbuval-Chamaré. Materials taken from the old castle were used for its construction. In 1804 the entire rococo castle area was completed, and this has been preserved in its original state to this day (Czech Versailles). In 1997 Petr and Madga Kučerovi from Prague bought the castle and the whole castle area was restored and modernized. The opening of the castle took place in spring 2001. At the castle courtyard there have been created a rococo garden with fountains and brodery of cut box, the warehouse and rococo arbour were reconstructed, the second courtyard, the garden house and castle pension are bying constructed.
www.nove-hrady.cz

Rose Meadow (7 km from Litomysl, cycle track no. 4021)
Memorial park close to the village of Morasice (a square of land measuring 340 m²)where a rare type of rose Rosa gallica can be found. There are many tales surrounding the area, for example the parting with the exiled Czechs following the Battle of the White Mountain. In 1921 a memorial to the memory of the Czech Brothers and J. A. Komensky was unveiled.

Nedosin Wood (3 km from Litomysl, cycle track no. 4021)
State national reservation measuring 30.7 ha set up for the protection of a wood made up of oaks and hornbeam trees. Together with the neighbouring fish-ponds this area is of great ornithological interest. Originally the feudal hunting grounds Vratička was at the beginning of the 19th century remodelled into a romantic park with numerous pavilions and temples. Until 1856 it was the site of students' May celebrations (basis for Jirasek's novel Philosophical History). Nowadays we can only see the remains of the stone chapel of St. Anthony above the spring. Through the wood there is an educational nature path with nine stops.

Educational nature path Velký Košíř (2,5 km from Litomyšl, cycle track No. 4021)
Educational nature path leads around pond Velký Košíř u Litomyšle. One of the oldest East Bohemia pond and its surroundings is significant ornithology locality. About 179 sorts of birds, 72 permanently nested can be observed here. It has four stops with information boards. Information boards inform us about local fauna and plant kingdom. Numerous sorts are already rare in Czech Republic. Attentive viewer can see for example Spotted Crake, Little Crake, Great Bittern or Ferruginous Duck . From the songbirds, a nightingale or Savi's Warbler nest by the pond. The most significant pond representants are also Amphibians, Brown Frog, Common Frog, Tree Frog, Smooth Newt, Toad and Common Spadefoot. In the evening, also the bats fly out - Common Noctule, Daubenton's Bat, whiskered bats, The path follows the old way to Nedošín wood.

Kozlov (9 km from Litomysl, 45 min. by cycle)
small village linked with the works of the painter Max Švabinský (1873-1962), who lived here before the First World War in the cottage belonging to the Vejrych family. On its wooden west gable there is an original painting - two petitioners and St. Wenceslas in a floral ornament. In the cottage there are many authentic documents recording the life and work of the artist.

Kozlov Hill (9 km from Litomysl, 45 min. by cycle)
Hill 601 m above sea level. In 1933 the cottage of Max Švabinský was built here, which is now a small hotel and restaurant 100 m from the cottage there is a standardize telecommunication-observatory tower.

Educational nature path on Cerna hora - Black Mountain (1 km, by cycle 10 min.)
Recently 5 km of paths in the municipal woods on Černá Hora was reinforced, an a nature path with information boards was laid out. This area is suitable for ramblers, runners and cyclists alike.

Svojanov (16 km from Policka, cycle route no. 4019)
castle established by Premysl Otakar II in 1265 for the protection of the Trstenice routes. Today's building is in empire style, and was built in 1842 following a fire (the old palace was not restored). Since 1993 the Svojanov Cultural Summer festival and the Puppeteers Pilgrimage have been held here. The castle is open to the public, as is the permanent exhibition of ceramics by Jan Kutalek.

Lucas's singing lime tree (11 km from Policka, 60 min by cycle)
Lime tree over 700 years old - oldest lime tree in the Czech Republic. It is said that an old deaf scribe once sat writing and singing psalms inside its trunk.

Bystré (13 km from Policka, 60 min by cycle, cycle track no. 4019)
Was conferred the title of town by Charles IV in 1368, and one of the Trstenice routes led through the town. There is a baroque town hall, church and presbytery, and timbered cottages - Brtoun's cottage is open to the public, the renaissance château with English garden is now a home for children in care.

Jimramov (11 km from Polička, cycle route no. 4025)
Historic small town established in 1235, in 1643 it was razed by the Swedes, and following the issue of the Edict of Tolerance, became an Evangelical centre, Renaissance château dating from 1586, originally Gothic church rebuilt in baroque style. The home of the Mrštik brothers and writer Jan Karafiát, author of "The Little Beetles".