What does a magical cottage hide?
Observation tower on Vršatec rocks, Krivoklát

They are jewels of central Považie region. They are one of the most picturesque and morphologically most striking parts of the Pieniny Klippen Belt in Slovakia ... Vršatec rocks. This great belt of white glowing rocks lying near the borderline of Slovakia and Moravia is a majestic landmark above the village of Vršatské Podhradie. The rocks stand tall above the surrounding hills and complement the diversity of the country. On the forest trails stands a wooden observation tower. It reminds us of magical cottages from fairytales. Its simple appearance is in a stark contrast with breathtaking views it offers. Her appearance hides a jewel – an impressive view of Vršatec rocks.

ABOUT THE TOWER
On the nature trail leading from Bolešov to Krivoklát stands a small wooden tower with a breathtaking view of the majestic Vršatec rocks. The observation tower, 4.9 meters high, stands by the road above the village of Krivoklát. If you want to enjoy the view, you have to climb its ladder. It reminds us of a fairytale wooden cottage. Although it looks fragile, the opposite is true! Vršatec rocks watch over it.
The nature trail Bolešov – Krivoklát with the observation tower leads through a beautiful area of Bolešov valley and Krivoklát valley. The trail is 8.2 km long and has a total of 18 stops. While walking, you can admire Dračia studňa, the so-called snow pit and a natural formation Kozie hory with an amazing view over a gamekeeper’s cottage Chrástková and Vršatec. The next stop on the nature trail is the gamekeeper’s cottage Chrástková located on the highest point of the trail, at an altitude of 550 meters. The nature trail ends in the charming village of Krivoklát where you can admire the beauty of the local folk architecture.

VERSES ON GOOD MORALS
The most famous work of morals of the Baroque poet Hugolín Gavlovič "Valaská škola mravúv stodola" was written in a beautiful setting of White Carpathian cliffs on a place where now stands the gamekeeper’s cottage Chrástková. The poet was treated here for a lung disease that caused him a lot of trouble. Gavlovič mentioned his treatment right in the introduction of his famous work where he writes that the work had been written "at the sheepfold of the enlightened master, Count Xaverius Konigsegg ... under the Vršatec mansion and at Chrástková" where the author had to "drink sheep’s whey" to improve his health. Here, near the village of Pruské, in the mountains under Vršatec, at the shepherd’s cottage among simple people and shepherds the author spent forty-three years. Here Hugolín become familiar with and admired the wisdom of the common people who inspired him to write his works.
„Této verše k dobrým mravúm skrátka vyučujú, navyklé k samopašnosti srdce ukrocujú.
 I ty múžeš sobe velký úžitek z nich vzíti, jestli od zlého k dobrému dáš se nakloniti.“

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

KRIVOKLÁT’S MEADOWS AND KRIVOKLÁT GORGE
The natural monument Krivoklát’s meadow is a perfect example of a White Carpathian orchid meadow with small tuff wetlands.
Krivoklát gorge is an impressive geological and geomorphological formation. It was created thanks to erosion activities of Krivoklát creek.

DRAČIA STUDŇA (DRAGON’S WELL)
A natural monument Dračia studňa (Dragon’s well) is the most extensive tuff formation in the White Carpathians. The valley is cut by a creek the bottom of which is filled with a system of landslides making water run in different directions, forming small streams and waterfalls. These landslides also created dams and cascades. Dračia studňa (Dragon’s well) is a home to many species of rare fauna and flora.

VRŠATEC CASTLE
The castle’s ruins stand on steep rocks of White Carpathians. The origin of the castle dates back to the 13th century when a watchtower was built there. In the 14th century the castle (at that time a stone building) belonged to Matúš Čák of Trenčín. After terrible events when it was burned down, undermined and blown up the castle turned into ruins in 1707.