Janůvky: Local history and the landscape in the valley

Janůvky lies in a valley beneath wooded slopes and the peaks of the Svitavská vrchovina. The village has 40 inhabitants and lies southwest of Moravská Třebová and northwest of Jevíčko. The Janůvecké čihadlo forest stretches to the north. The landscape therefore offers different points of reference: the valley, the slopes and the forest to the north complement the directions given for Moravská Třebová and Jevíčko. If you are looking for a hotel in Janůvky, you can first consider whether you are particularly interested in its historical development or in the landscape and routes.

History and everyday life

Janůvky was founded during the German colonization. The first written mention dates from 1365; in that year, Janůvky belonged to the Třebová estate. In 1408, the Lords of Kunštát granted the village the right of reversion. These dates relate to different aspects: 1365 links the written record with the estate to which the village belonged at the time, while 1408 marks a right granted later. The founding context, first mention and history of the estate should therefore not be condensed into a single date.

Historically, residents made a living, among other things, from agriculture and worked in wage weaving. Agriculture and wage weaving represent different forms of work: one is connected with using the land, while the other adds weaving for pay to the picture. A one-class public school is documented for both 1880 and 1900. The former school building now serves as the municipal office, bringing its former use as a school and its present municipal function together in one building. Ecclesiastically, Janůvky belongs to the parish of Křenov. A fund association for a chapel dedicated to Saint Gotthard and the Seven Holy Plague Patrons is recorded in Janůvky for 1904.

Bell tower and mining history

The bell tower was built in 2013 to replace an earlier one, which had presumably already been destroyed during the Second World War. The former bell tower in Janůvky stood farther west, beside a shaft where fireclay was mined. From the mid-19th century to the beginning of the 20th century, lignite, fireclay and slate were mined in the area around Janůvky. The clay connects the specific local detail of the former structure with the broader mining history of the area. The bell tower is therefore a local point of reference, while the extraction of raw materials covers a larger area and a longer period.

Cycling and hiking routes

The cycling route “Janůvky přes Peklo a Hřebeč” is listed. A marked local cycle route passes through Janůvky; check the route status locally before setting out. On foot, a red-marked hiking trail branches off the Hřebečský hřbet between Janůvky and Rudná; check its trail markings locally before setting out as well. These details help with different decisions: the cycle route is focused on its passage through the village, while the hiking trail centers on the turnoff from the ridge and the connection between Janůvky and Rudná.

Discover more destinations: Jarošov, Vrážné, Rudná, Kukle, Želivsko, Sklené, Rohozná U Poličky, Bohuňov

For the broader travel overview: Okres Svitavy.