From captive parrots to soaring birds: a day between Pehlřimov and Lipnice

We embarked on a brief excursion to a modest town Pehlřimov situated approximately an hour’s drive from Prague. Our objective was to capture some new photographic images. We were uncertain as to what we might find there, so we decided to leave it to chance. We arrived in the town at approximately 11 am. The main square was just a short distance away, nestled within the city walls and winding alleys. It was an encouraging start to our exploration of the city centre. We strolled through the cobblestone streets, admiring the churches and wineries with eager anticipation.

However, we didn’t immediately spot anything of interest. We were the only ones there at the time, apart from a stray cat. As we approached the main square, we were greeted by a typical array of architectural styles. The buildings were adorned with intricate decorations and vibrant flowers, adding a touch of beauty to the scene.

It was one of the last mild, sunny days. It seemed as though we were the only people there. With a hint of disappointment and a sense of urgency to find a toilet, we happened upon an old-fashioned cake shop. We were met with a gaze that could be described as similar to that seen in western films, where a stranger arrives at a local saloon. We decided to put that to one side and sat down to enjoy some rather disappointing coffee and cakes. Unfortunately, the restrooms were out of order.

We took a few steps outside to see if there was anything else we could do, but it seemed that our options were limited. With little hope, we entered a desolate garden. We observed a statue of a religious figure who appeared to resemble a vampire version of Rasputin (who also already had a somewhat satanic appearance). Some tombs were situated nearby, across from the children’s playground, which seemed a bit out of place.

As we walked down the pathway, we heard some rather unusual calls. We observed aviaries with beautiful parrots nearing the exit of the small park. They seemed to be calling out in a way that made us feel a bit lonely. We tried to speak with them, but unfortunately, we were unsuccessful. They seemed to be grappling with the rusty cage, tilting it up and down and moving back and forth a few times. It was as if they were expressing their frustration at being in captivity.

We were rather disheartened by the situation and decided to take our leave. Before heading back home, we discovered that there was a castle in the vicinity (I should mention that castles are scattered throughout the country, and we are making it a point to visit new ones regularly). We were pleased to hear this news, which lifted our spirits, and we made our way through the rather dull surroundings into an inviting medieval town Lipnice nad Sázavou.

It was fascinating to observe how the older settlements’ houses were arranged in a long alley and a broad walkway that wound up the hilltop where the ancient fortification dating back to 1300 was situated. The short walk up the hill rewarded us with lovely views of the village.

We enjoyed exploring the medieval interiors and courtyard ruins. What we found particularly inspiring was the migrating birds formation we could capture by the main tower. We were fortunate to spot them at just the right moment, as they flew over and around us, stopping to rest on each side of the castle buildings. The sun was casting a golden glow over the pale blue sky, creating a beautiful silhouette.

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