Discover Břest: Landscape and Local History

Břest is a historic Slavic settlement, first mentioned in 1131 in a document by Jindřich Zdík, Bishop of Olomouc. The village brings together the Haná landscape and a rich religious and local history. This offers different points of interest for planning your trip: the open plain, historic buildings, religious traditions and a sports centre.

Landscape and Haná

Břest lies on the edge of a broad floodplain and alluvial plain formed by the Morava, Malá Bečva and Moštěnka watercourses. The surrounding area is mostly flat and agricultural. From here, there are views of the Hostýnské vrchy and Svatý Hostýn; to the south, the view extends to the Chřiby Protected Landscape Area and the Brdo lookout tower. Břest lies in the Haná lowlands, an important agricultural region known for its fertile soils, folk costumes and folk customs. Sixteen small-leaved lime trees grow around the Church of Saint James the Greater; the group of trees is called “Lípy kolem kostela v Břestu”. The village landscape thus combines extensive agricultural land with clearly identified local features.

Church and historic buildings

The Church of Saint James the Greater has a building history documented in several stages. After a fire in 1679, it was restored in 1708; a tower was added during the restoration. The chapels were added in 1780, and in 1879 the tower was raised and fitted with a clock. In front of the church is an 18th-century cross, restored in 1998. The statue of Saint John of Nepomuk in Břest dates from 1753. Both it and the cross are listed cultural monuments.

The present-day school building is also part of the village’s history: it was built in 1904 and is designated a cultural monument. The municipal building next to the school is also listed as a cultural monument; it was reconstructed in 2004. Together with the church, these landmarks offer several different ways to explore the village’s history: the development of religious buildings, monuments and public buildings.

Religious and farming traditions

The Křtiny pilgrimage in Břest dates back to 1793 and is held regularly before the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. On Corpus Christi, Mass is followed by a procession to individual houses. Another annual tradition is the harvest thanksgiving service on the second Sunday in September: around 25 people in Haná folk costume bring agricultural produce to the altar. Since 2007, people in folk costume from Břest and the surrounding area have regularly taken part in regional harvest festivals in Kroměříž. Handwork is also part of preserving this culture: members of the Haná group from Břest care for, sew and repair their costumes themselves.

These recurring religious and farming events offer different dates to plan around. If you would like to time your trip to coincide with a particular event, check the exact date before making plans.

Sports and getting there

Sportcentrum Břest has two bowling lanes and a large hall with an artificial sports surface. It is in the village centre and can be reached from the Rajčuda sports complex or the village square via the passage through the library. Check access information before your visit. Bus and train connections are available; the D1 motorway is also nearby. For specific travel plans, it is worth checking the latest timetables.

Whether you are mainly interested in the Haná landscape, architectural history or local traditions during your stay, Břest offers a range of things to explore. The sports centre and transport connections add practical considerations to your trip planning.

Discover more destinations: Vrbka, Míškovice, Zahnašovice, Morkovice-Slížany, Rataje U Kroměříže, Lubná, Věžky, Rajnochovice

For the broader travel overview: Okres Kroměříž.