Rohatec: Nature, Cycling and Cultural Heritage

Rohatec offers several different points of interest for planning a trip: nature, cycling and local history. Specific highlights include the open sandy landscape of the Váté písky protected area, a cycling route along the Baťa Canal, and churches with different historical layers. Folklore and folk art are also part of the town’s cultural profile. Which of these aspects matters to you depends on whether you would prefer to discover Rohatec through its landscape and routes or its architectural and art history.

Landscape and Activities

The Váté písky protected area comprises open grasslands on continental dunes, with grasses of the genera Corynephorus and Agrostis, as well as Pannonian sand steppes. The habitat types are designated by codes 2330 and 6260. As a national nature monument, Váté písky lies along the railway line between Rohatec-Kolonie and Bzenec-Přívoz stations. Grassland and sand steppe are distinct components of the same protected area. Strážnické Pomoraví Nature Park also extends into the cadastral area of Rohatec. The two designations refer to different forms of protection: Váté písky is a national nature monument, while Strážnické Pomoraví is a nature park.

For cyclists, the route along the Baťa Canal passes through Rohatec and forms part of a route from Kroměříž to Skalica. Rohatec also lies on a route in the Moravské vinařské stezky network. The descriptions highlight different things: the canal cycling route names the endpoints of the full route, while Moravské vinařské stezky refers to a network. On the water, you can travel the Vnorovy–Rohatec section of the Baťa Canal by canoe, kayak or raft. Check current navigation restrictions before setting out.

Churches, Art and Folklore

Construction of the Church of St. Bartholomew began on 11 September 1911, based on a design by Brno architect Vladimír Fischer; the church was consecrated on 20 October 1912. It is also furnished with a Baroque altar dating from 1716. The altar therefore predates the church building by a considerable margin, adding a distinct art-historical period to its story. In Slovácká Street stands the Chapel of St. Bartholomew, which preserves the surviving presbytery of a 14th-century Gothic church. Inside are Baroque statues of St. John of Nepomuk and St. John Sarkander.

The local church in Rohatec houses richly embroidered chasubles, veils and antependia of particular artistic and ethnographic value. Rohatec’s folk-art tradition also includes richly carved furniture decorated with Moravian-Slovak ornaments.

While the church and chapel are historic buildings, folklore is kept alive by groups: a children’s folklore ensemble, a men’s choir and a mixed choir. The groups’ activities may change.

Getting Around

Bus line 911 connects Rohatec with Hodonín and Veselí nad Moravou, stopping at several stops in the municipality. Check the current timetable for your travel date before planning your journey.

Discover more destinations: Mutěnice, Těmice, Hovorany, Louka, Tasov, Skoronice, Dražůvky, Javorník.

Return to the regional travel overview: Hodonín District.