Václavovice: Sand Quarry, Routes and Cultural Heritage

Václavovice combines a protected natural area with local cultural landmarks. For planning your trip, you can distinguish between two main themes: bodies of water and protected species on the one hand, and chapels, a church and traditional architecture on the other. There is also a circular trail described as easy and a local cycling route. You can therefore consider whether walks and nature or architectural and local history should be more central to your visit.

Nature and bodies of water in Václavovice

The Pískovna is a former sand quarry. The ponds were created after the sand was extracted. The purpose of the protected area is to protect the great crested newt (Triturus cristatus). A hiking trail through Václavovice passes the protected Pískovna. The area is part of the Natura 2000 network; fire-bellied toads are also found there. The Pískovna is therefore notable both for the creation of its pond landscape and for specific species protection issues.

The Ryninka spring and Kamenec pond also shape the local waterscape. Ryninka lies on the border between Václavovice and Sedliště and is considered a place for walks and relaxation. Kamenec is also popular for walks and relaxation; beavers have settled there. The beaver population may change.

Circular trail, art and cycling route

The “Vpravo, vlevo, po potoce” circular trail is 3.8 kilometres long and is described as an easy hiking route. It starts at the building housing the primary school and kindergarten in Václavovice. Its length and difficulty rating give you a concrete point of reference if you would like to include a clearly defined hike in your plans. As trail conditions can change, check the current conditions before setting out.

The Chapel of Lost Heritage, a modern work of art by Šenov artist Oldřich Harok, lies along the hiking route through Václavovice. This adds contemporary art as a distinct aspect of the town’s story alongside its nature and waterscape.

Local cycling route 6063 is another way to include Václavovice in a cycling trip. A municipal plan from 2014 describes its route from Petřvald via Šenov, Šimška and Sedliště; through Václavovice, it follows local roads and purpose-built paths. While the circular trail description focuses on its length and difficulty rating, the cycling route description mainly specifies its course. Check current signage and trail conditions before setting out.

Chapels, church and local cultural heritage

The chapel next to house number 11 is the only immovable cultural monument in Václavovice. St. Wenceslas Church on Václavovická Street is a landmark of the town’s architecture. Another chapel stands on Potoční Street: dedicated to Saint John of Nepomuk, it dates from 1805. It also commemorates the march of the Russian army towards Slavkov for the 1805 Battle of the Three Emperors. This chapel is therefore dedicated to a saint and associated with a specific historical event.

When it comes to the windmills, the date of the record is important: a municipal heritage inventory from 2014 lists four functional windmills as notable local attractions. The inventory also records a wooden bell tower and several original wooden houses that have been preserved. These architectural landmarks add further facets of local heritage to the chapels and church. If you plan your stay around your interests, you have a range of options: a short hike, nature and bodies of water, art, or architectural and local history.

Discover more destinations: Vratimov, Zbyslavice, Ostrava, Horní Lhota, Dolní Lhota, Stará Ves Nad Ondřejnicí, Velká Polom, Klimkovice.

For the broader travel overview: Ostrava-City District.