Ketkovice: River Valley, Trails and History

Ketkovice combines a wooded area in the west with marked hiking trails, cycling routes and historic sites. The destination’s character is shaped by the Oslava and Chvojnice valleys, Levnov Castle, the Church of Saint Catherine and annual pilgrimages. Whether you want to plan your trip around the landscape, outdoor activities or culture, you can explore these aspects through specific places, routes and dates.

Forest, river valley and distinctive species

The wooded western part of the Ketkovice area lies in the Údolí Oslavy a Chvojnice Nature Park. The Oslava and Chvojnice valley is canyon-like, with meandering rivers, and is considered a tourist and recreational area. The Údolí Oslavy a Chvojnice Nature Reserve also extends into Ketkovice. It is home to the only recent site in the Czech Republic where the Adriatic lizard orchid has been found, as well as a relatively large population of the large-flowered pasque flower at the edge of its Czech range.

The Panorama viewpoint looks out over a meander in the Oslava known as Čertův jazyk. So, alongside the broader river valley, Ketkovice’s landscape attractions include a specific vantage point. The nature reserve is home to distinctive plant life, while the Oslava and Chvojnice valley is shaped by meandering rivers.

Hiking trails and cycling routes

A red-marked hiking trail leads from Vysoké Popovice railway stop to Ketkovice and Levnov Castle. Another starting point is Oslavany railway station: from there, a green-marked trail runs via Čučice to Ketkovický mlýn. The routes differ in their starting points and destinations; the place names can help you work out how each route fits into your travel plans.

Two cycling routes also pass through Ketkovice. The Templářská 5199 is part of a 39-kilometre circular route. The Hornická cycling route is 50 kilometres long. At 39 kilometres, the circular route that includes the Templářská is 11 kilometres shorter than the 50-kilometre Hornická.

Levnov Castle and milling history

The remains of Levnov Castle stand on a rocky promontory high above the Oslava River, with a large difference in elevation between the castle and the river. The castle was deliberately destroyed around 1440. Ketkovický, Vydrův mlýn was probably built after 1300, at the same time as Levnov Castle. This places the mill’s probable construction after 1300 and the castle’s later destruction around 1440 as distinct historical reference points.

Church and pilgrimages

The Church of Saint Catherine in Ketkovice was built in 1780 on the site of an older church dating from the 13th century and is listed as a cultural monument. Architecturally, it is an east-facing, single-nave building with a pentagonal presbytery. “East-facing” means the building is oriented towards the east; “single-nave” describes a church with one nave. The presbytery is the chancel area, which here has a pentagonal floor plan. These features give the church a clearly defined architectural character as well as a history of construction.

The Cyril and Methodius pilgrimage takes place every July and includes a Mass at the Chapel of Saints Cyril and Methodius. The Saint Catherine’s pilgrimage is held every year in November. The two events therefore differ in the month they take place; if you are planning to attend a particular pilgrimage, check the exact event date in advance.

Discover more destinations: Běleč, Nová Ves, Ochoz U Brna, Kuřimská Nová Ves, Vranov, Rohozec, Braníškov, Javůrek.

For the overview of the wider area: Brno-Country District.