Stará Ves nad Ondřejnicí: Renaissance, Routes and Poodří

Stará Ves nad Ondřejnicí combines Renaissance architecture, routes and the natural features of the Poodří Protected Landscape Area. When choosing a destination for your stay, the main consideration is which focus best suits your trip: a visit to the church and castle, a trip along a route, or the floodplain landscape. If you are looking for a hotel, you can start by organizing these interests as you plan.

Renaissance architecture and the church

The castle in Stará Ves nad Ondřejnicí is a Renaissance building dating from the second half of the 16th century. Its sgraffito decoration gives the building a distinctive architectural feature. Cultural events and concerts are held in the arcaded courtyard; check the current schedule for details of a specific visit. You can take a walk in the castle park.

The Church of St. John the Baptist also offers a distinct perspective on the town’s architectural history. It was built from 1587 to 1589 on the site of an older wooden church, at the expense of the local lord at the time, Ctibor the Elder Syrakovský. In 1591, the Bishop of Olomouc, Stanislav Pavlovský, consecrated the church. Its transitional style combines Gothic and Renaissance elements.

During restoration work inside the church in 2001–2002, a Renaissance figural fresco dating from before 1600 was uncovered. It depicts a Calvary scene with Christ, Aaron and Moses. The church thus brings together its architectural style, history and a specific pictorial representation. Visitors particularly interested in architecture can appreciate the castle and church as different examples of the Renaissance period and its design, without conflating their building histories.

Walking and cycling routes

The two routes of the geolocation game start at the Renaissance castle. They introduce several interesting places in the municipality. The combination of a fixed starting point and two routes gives you a way to explore the town through a game. As digital directions can change, it is a good idea to check the latest instructions before setting out.

For cycling directions, the route names and location details can help: cycle route No. 5, the Jantarová stezka, passes through the Košatka part of the municipality; route C2, “Castles and Nature of Poodří,” runs through Stará Ves nad Ondřejnicí. A new section of the cycle route runs alongside the cemetery and connects to the first construction phase heading towards the bridge over the Oder. These details describe different route alignments; follow the current signs during your trip.

There are several options for a walk, too. The Odra – niva educational trail currently has several marked stops and runs as far as Stará Ves nad Ondřejnicí, forming an easy, flat route there. You can also take a walk in the castle park. If you prefer an organized hike, “Jarní toulání s Kondorem” is a recurring event with three routes of different lengths. In 2025, the start and finish were in Stará Ves at the Kondor Club premises. The 18th edition, announced for 2026, was canceled due to bad weather; check the current schedule for future editions.

Poodří and living culture

The Poodří Protected Landscape Area also includes Stará Ves nad Ondřejnicí. It protects a floodplain landscape along the Oder and its tributaries, with meadows, floodplain forests, old river channels, permanent and seasonal pools, springs on the slopes of river terraces, and ponds. The landscape described here is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna. Alongside the buildings, this protected river landscape is another theme to keep in mind when planning your trip.

The town’s cultural identity is also expressed through music and events. Stará Ves nad Ondřejnicí is one of the venues for the Poodří František Lýsek Festival and is home to the Lašsko Song and Dance Ensemble SLPT Ondřejnica. The ensemble performs Lašsko folk songs collected by František Lýsek. Together with concerts in the arcaded courtyard, this creates a cultural offering that extends beyond the historic buildings; you can check event dates before your trip.

Your choice depends on whether you want to focus your stay more on architecture, a route, or nature and culture. The activities mentioned differ in theme and format, ranging from a walk on an easy, flat route and several cycle routes to an event-based hike with three different route lengths. Use these differences to match your travel plans and hotel search to your interests.

Discover more destinations: Ostrava, Zbyslavice, Čavisov, Šenov, Olbramice, Vřesina, Václavovice, Dolní Lhota

Go to the regional travel overview: Ostrava-Město District.