Zderaz – Sandstone, History and Nature

Zderaz brings together living spaces carved into sandstone, exhibitions on local history and nature destinations in the surrounding area. This offers different ways to plan your trip: architectural heritage and village history, or trails and rock formations around Zderaz.

Sandstone and Local History

The largest accessible dwelling carved into sandstone in Zderaz comprises a living area and a stable. A replica of a historic clay oven offers additional insight into the rooms. A smaller accessible cellar features a photo exhibition about Zderaz’s preserved cellars. This presents two different ways of interpreting the past: the living area and stable form part of the visitable ensemble in the dwelling, while photographs are the focus in the cellar.

A permanent exhibition at Zderazský domeček explores the local history of washing, farming, weaving and skiing. It broadens the focus from individual rooms to several aspects of village history. Zderazský domeček is in the village centre, on the main road towards Skuteč and Nové Hrady.

The Chapel of St John of Nepomuk is also one of Zderaz’s important monuments. Together with the sandstone dwelling and the exhibitions, it forms a cultural focus encompassing both individual buildings and local history.

Nature Reserve and Rock Formations

The Maštale Nature Reserve extends across the cadastral area of Zderaz.

The natural rock formation Zajíc, with its statue of a hare, lies near Zderaz. Marked trails lead there from Zderaz or from the trail junction by the Polanka cottage. These two starting points can help you decide how to include a visit to the formation in your own plans.

The Kúpadla lie between Zderaz and the Polanka cottage: three small ponds arranged one above the other. The Kapalice spring is about 500 metres from the Polanka cottage. A marked trail to the spring is suitable for cyclists and small children.

Another natural rock formation is Kazatelna. It lies in the vicinity of the Polanka cottage, between Polanka and Bor u Skutče; a cycle route passes by it. The nature destinations therefore differ in how to reach them: marked trails to Zajíc start in Zderaz or Polanka, a marked trail to Kapalice starts at the cottage, and a cycle route passes Kazatelna.

Routes and Access to Pivnice

The Pivnická stezka circular trail is 22.4 kilometres long and passes through the Pivnice rock gorge and Zderaz. The Zderaz–Pivnice–Zderaz route starts in Zderaz on the blue cycle route No. 8 towards Dolany. It then passes through the gorge before rejoining the blue cycle route and heading back to Zderaz. This route has difficult terrain; high water levels can make access even more difficult.

Zderaz is a starting point for visiting the Pivnice Natural Monument. In 2026, Pivnice was temporarily closed due to a landslide and ongoing damage to the gorge walls. Check access before setting out. Until 22 May 2030, public access is also restricted to the trail marked for tourists. These notices are especially important if you are planning a route through the gorge.

Discover more destinations: Licibořice, Sobětuchy, Podhořany U Ronova, Třemošnice, Trhová Kamenice, Křižanovice, Prachovice, Ronov Nad Doubravou.

For the overview of the wider area: Chrudim District.