Bára

Bára II is a wooden lookout tower in the Iron Mountains (Železné hory), about 5 km south of Chrudim near the village of Rabštejnská Lhota, standing on a ridge known as Čertova skalka at an elevation of 347 metres above sea level. It's one of the most distinctive observation towers in the Pardubice region, both for its unusual shape and for the dramatic story behind how it came to be.

Why is it called "Bára II"?

The original tower, Bára I, opened on 21 June 2008 — only to be torn down by a violent windstorm just four days later. Rather than abandoning the project, the local forestry administration (Městské lesy Chrudim) rebuilt it, and in September 2009 the reinforced successor, Bára II, was ceremonially opened, engineered this time to withstand winds of up to 200 km/h.

What makes the design unusual?

Bára II takes the form of a three-sided truncated pyramid, a construction reportedly not built anywhere else in Europe before it. The wooden tower stands 17 metres tall, with an internal spiral staircase of 78 oak steps leading up to a single observation platform at the top.

What can you see from the platform?

On a clear day, the view stretches across the Železné hory ridge, the Chrudim area, and the Polabí lowlands around Pardubice. Looking north, on especially clear days, the Krkonoše (Giant Mountains) and Orlické hory become visible on the horizon.

What else is there to do nearby?

At the base of the tower you'll find a rope adventure park, a children's playground, and a service building offering refreshments — making it easy to turn the climb into a longer family stop rather than a quick photo detour.

How do you get to Bára II?

The tower is most easily reached on foot from Rabštejnská Lhota or Slatiňany. Several marked trails also pass the ruins of Rabštejnek Castle, so many visitors combine a walk through the medieval castle remains with the climb up the tower as part of the same outing.

When is the best time to visit?

Bára II is open seasonally from April to October, with free admission. Outside that window, from November to March, the site remains accessible, but visitors climb at their own risk since regular supervision isn't guaranteed.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee? No — admission to Bára II is free throughout the open season, from April to October.

How many steps does it take to reach the top? The internal spiral staircase has 78 oak steps leading up to the single viewing platform.

Can you drive right up to the tower? There are parking spots near the trailheads from Rabštejnská Lhota and Slatiňany, but the tower itself sits on top of the ridge and requires a short walk up.

What can you see from the platform in good weather? Visitors can see the Železné hory ridge and the area around Pardubice, and on especially clear days the Krkonoše and Orlické hory mountain ranges further north.