The name of the river itself was derived from the old Czech verb sworti, which meant 'to meander'.

It lies on the border between the Upper Svratka Highlands and Iron Mountains.

The Svratka River flows through the town; it formed here the historical border between Bohemia and Moravia.

The town lies within the Žďárské vrchy Protected Landscape Area.

[3] The 19th century saw the development of industry, which culminated in 1867 with the promotion of Svratka to a town.