Niva: Nature, Trails and Local History

Niva lies in the northern part of the Drahanské vrchoviny, west of Prostějov. The town can be understood as a travel destination through its nature, trails and history. Around Horní rybník and across the landscape, you will find a range of points of interest, alongside the former name Hartmanice and a turbulent local history. This can help you decide when planning your trip whether you are more interested in the landscape or historical sites.

Natural Monuments and Bodies of Water

Around Horní rybník lies the Nivské louky area, protected as a natural monument. Its habitats include meadow communities and wetland areas. These are home to endangered and rare plant and animal species. Nivské louky thus link a specific body of water with a protected landscape whose meadows and wetlands are important for wildlife.

The Návesní niva natural monument lies in the southern centre of Niva. It comprises waterlogged floodplain meadows with a diverse range of plant and animal life, including amphibians. The two natural monuments can be distinguished by their respective features: Nivské louky is characterised by Horní rybník and wetland areas, while Návesní niva is characterised by its location in the southern centre, waterlogged floodplain meadows and amphibians. If you visit Návesní niva, follow the local nature conservation rules.

The water itself also offers a way to understand the landscape: the Bílá Voda stream flows through Niva and feeds all three ponds in the town. The stream and the ponds play different roles: the stream runs through the town, while it feeds the ponds. This connection adds another distinct aspect to the local landscape alongside the two natural monuments.

Walking and Cycling

Several walking trails and a cycle route pass through Niva. This lets you shape your stay around different activities: both walking and cycling routes pass through the town. For practical planning, it is also useful to distinguish the general reference to walking trails from the more specifically named cycle route.

Cycle route 5075 is signposted as the Greenway Kraków–Morava–Vienna and passes through Niva. Along the named route, it connects Sloup, Repechy, Plumlov and Prostějov. Check the current signage and route before setting off. This lets you include the named places in your plans and check the described route on the ground.

Hartmanice: Name and History

Niva was formerly known as Hartmanice. The first written mention of Hartmanice dates from 1347. This date belongs to the early written history of the town and should be distinguished from the events of the 20th century. The former name helps place the town’s historical name in the context of later records.

On 30 November 1942, Hartmanice was evacuated and its population forcibly resettled. German troops used the town as a military firing range. After the war, former residents returned. This sequence—evacuation, forced resettlement, military use and return—marks a pivotal episode in local history and sits alongside the much earlier first written mention.

Niva therefore offers different themes to explore when planning your trip: protected meadows and wetlands, the connection between the stream and ponds, routes for walking and cycling, and a local history that stretches from the former name Hartmanice to the events of the Second World War. The specific details about the natural monuments, routes and history can help you choose the focus of your stay.

Discover more destinations: Brodek U Prostějova, Čelechovice Na Hané, Čelčice, Olšany U Prostějova, Rakůvka, Seloutky, Pavlovice U Kojetína, Biskupice Na Hané.

For the broader travel overview: Okres Prostějov.