Úvalno: Lookout Tower, Retro Museum and Natural Swimming Biotope

Úvalno brings together attractions that appeal to different interests when choosing a place to stay: the memorial to Hans Kudlich, historic architecture, a natural swimming biotope and a signposted cycling route. The landscape is shaped by wet meadows and the Opava River. This makes it possible to combine your hotel search with the question of whether culture, swimming or a cycling tour is the deciding factor for you.

Hans Kudlich Tower as a memorial site

The Hans Kudlich observation tower stands on Strážiště near Úvalno and was built as a memorial to Hans Kudlich. It is 21.5 metres high and opened on 21 September 1913. It was designed by the architect Oskar von Felgel. Hans Kudlich’s birthplace in Úvalno is also a memorial site dedicated to an important figure.

Group visits outside the stated opening hours can be arranged at least one day in advance. Since these visit arrangements may change, you should confirm a group visit in advance.

Swimming biotope and landscape

Plovárna Na Výsluní is located on the grounds of the former outdoor swimming pool below the Hans Kudlich observation tower in Úvalno. The natural swimming biotope includes a swimming area, a non-swimmer area and a paddling pool; it also has a water slide. Visitor facilities include toilets, outdoor showers and changing rooms. Seasonal operations may change, so check the latest opening information before your visit.

The landscape includes Úvalenská louka, an area of wet meadows with a marshy or boggy character. The Opava River in Úvalno is a preserved natural watercourse with riverside vegetation and significance for ornithology and zoology beyond the region. The swimming biotope, meadows and river represent different sides of the area: swimming is the main attraction here, while the landscape is the focus there. This allows you to distinguish between a seasonal swimming facility and permanent landscape features when planning your visit.

Museum and historic architecture

The former rectory has been converted into the Retro Museum. The museum features living spaces with a kitchen and bathroom, a children’s room with toys from the 1950s, and a formal living room. St. Nicholas Church is a masonry, rectangular, single-nave Gothic church dating from the second half of the 14th century; it was remodelled in the Baroque style after 1762. “Single-nave” describes a church space with one nave, while the rectangular shape refers to its floor plan.

The former railway station building dates from 1875 and is one of the few half-timbered buildings in the region. The renovated building operates as an information centre with toilets and a café. The Rychta retains structural components and parts of the equipment of a mill.

Cycling route and getting around

The Via Czechia – Silesian Trail itinerary continues from Úvalno railway station along a signposted cycling route. A separate section there is listed as “Úvalno–Rychta.” For the municipality, the itinerary also lists a museum, a restaurant, groceries, and bus and train connections. If you plan to use the cycling route or the listed connections, check the latest information in advance.

Discover more destinations: Krnov, Dvorce U Bruntálu, Bílčice, Ryžoviště, Roudno, Stará Ves, Liptaň, Slezské Rudoltice.

For the broader travel overview: Bruntál District.