Leštinka: Hotels and Accommodation

The Leštinka Quarry is up to approximately 26 metres deep and has a terraced underwater profile.

Landscape

Leštinka lies in the hilly peripheral area of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands between Skuteč and Vrbatův Kostelec; the lower part of the village extends through a gorge along the right bank of the Žejbro stream.

On Horka Hill there is a system of disused quarries, including Andrůzův lom, Zvěřinov, Kaňon, Leštinka II – Ekhardka, Holubák and Družstvo; quarrying was discontinued at the end of the last century. In the adjacent Dusaveci Forest is the artificial Drápka Cave, carved into a sandstone block.

Water

The underwater open-air museum in Leštinka Quarry begins at a depth of 13 metres and includes wooden houses, rails, pickaxes and mine carts. There are training platforms at depths of 3, 6 and 13 metres for diver training.

Access to the water at Divepark Leštinka is via a spacious pier, which is also suitable for larger groups of divers. Public bathing is not permitted at Divepark Leštinka.

Both complete beginners and experienced divers can dive at Divepark Leštinka. Try dives are accompanied by an experienced certified diving instructor, who explains the procedure and helps with putting on the equipment.

A diving school has been established in the “Družstvo” quarry. In winter, ice diving is possible at Leštinka if the water surface freezes over.

For family recreation, Leštinka Quarry offers a pirate ship for children, a sand play area, a swing and a climbing frame. The former flooded quarries scattered around Leštinka are popular bathing spots.

History and Culture

In the first half of the 20th century, Leštinka was an important centre of granite quarrying. At that time, 400 to 500 stonemasons worked in the surrounding quarries. The newly opened exhibition at the Městské muzeum Skuteč documents the history of quarrying and stone processing associated with Leštinka.

Surviving traces of Leštinka’s historic quarry railway include a viaduct and a developed and overgrown railway branch line from the “Mikšov” quarry to Žďárec u Skutče.

On the upper village square in Leštinka stands an iron cross with Christ, erected in 1833. The bell from Leštinka’s wooden belfry, dating from 1832, is built into the roof of the fire station.

Near Leštinka, above the left bank of the Žejbro stream, are the remains of the medieval Cejřov hrádek from the 12th and 13th centuries; the hrádek preserves a high, well-preserved circular rampart with a ditch.

Practical Information

A signposted local cycle route runs through the northern part of Leštinka.

The quarry area may only be visited with the owners’ consent and in compliance with the safety and organisational and technical regulations.

Other Places

Other places: Otradov, Třemošnice, Libkov, Podhořany U Ronova, Hamry U Hlinska, Svratouch, Slatinany, Bousov

To the higher-level travel overview: Chrudim District.