Bánov between a Baroque Church and a Volcanic Landscape

Get to know Bánov through its local history, hiking trails and volcanic landscape. A walking trail leads through the town centre, while other routes reach Studený vrch and the Ordějov Reservoir. The Baroque Church of St. Martin and archaeological remains also give the town a distinctive cultural character.

Walking Trails and Routes Around Bánov

The Tři kříže circular trail is a fairly easy walk of about an hour through the centre of Bánov. It offers an insight into the town’s culture and history and passes the parish Church of St. Martin and a valuable Baroque statue of St. John of Nepomuk. The statue dates from the second half of the 18th century. Check local conditions before setting out.

The “Ke Skalkám” route starts in Bánov, is about 7 kilometres long, and is suitable for walkers and cyclists. A longer option is the “Za přírodními krásami okolí” route, which leads from Bánov via the Ordějov Reservoir to the ridge of Studený vrch. Returning by the same route makes the round trip about 11 kilometres. The distances therefore refer to different routes; for the second one, the return along the same route is explicitly included.

When choosing a route, consider its level of difficulty: although the routes around Studený vrch are suitable for walkers and cyclists, they are very physically demanding. The use of the Ordějov Reservoir is also relevant for anglers. It was originally built for irrigation and recreation and is now used mainly for fishing. Check local fishing regulations and access information before your visit.

Church, Castle and Local History

The Church of St. Martin was created between 1692 and 1699 when a medieval church underwent a major Baroque reconstruction. Among its older furnishings is a Late Gothic bell dating from 1498. The main altar dates from 1744, and the altarpiece of St. Martin was painted in 1864 by the academic painter Josef Zelený. The church thus brings together evidence from several centuries.

The Tři kříže site also tells a story spanning several eras. The three crosses stand on the remains of an ancient volcano. A castle stood there from the 12th century until it was destroyed in the 15th century; the crosses have been at the site since the 17th century. The walking trail therefore combines a stroll through the town centre with a landscape whose history reaches far beyond today’s sights.

Bánov Castle stood on Hrad Hill above the church; its original site was damaged by a quarry. Various prehistoric remains have been discovered at the Hrádek archaeological site. A Palaeolithic layer containing worked stone tools probably dates from the Aurignacian. A settlement layer from the Eneolithic is attributed to the Bošáca phase of the culture with cordoned pottery. By this time at the latest, the Hrádek hillfort had been fortified with massive ditches.

Volcanic Landscape and Nature

The Hrádek Natural Monument lies 120 metres north of the Church of St. Martin in the centre of Bánov. It preserves the largest and most characteristic expression of Tertiary volcanic activity in the area. A quarry face exposes volcanic breccia containing fragments of amphibole basaltic andesite. Rare butterfly species, including the swallowtail and the scarce swallowtail, can also be found at Hrádek.

Skalky is a unique example of young volcanism in the Flysch Carpathians of Moravia. The protected natural monument includes a small forest quarry, where an interesting geological layering is preserved in the excavation face. Profiles of contact-metamorphosed porcelainite sediment, formed near volcanic vents, are also exposed at Skalky. Geology enthusiasts will find different features here than at Hrádek: at Skalky, the focus is on the layering and altered sediment.

The quarry pond at Na Skaličkách is also part of the local natural environment. It has no inflow or outflow and is a habitat for crayfish, newts and rare frog species. Further afield in the Bánov region is the Údolí Bánovského potoka area, an old cultural landscape with forest edges, open woods and groves, as well as a significant population of yellow-bellied toads.

Folk Culture and a Museum Visit

Several examples of folk architecture have been preserved in Bánov, including two farmsteads and a chamber with an upper storey. The carnival tradition is also part of the town’s cultural life: masked processions known as Babkovníci, rooted in folk tradition, are still held today. Event dates are not provided, so check for current dates before visiting.

The Bánovský poklad is the largest prehistoric amber find discovered to date in the Czech Republic and is therefore unique. It is on display in the permanent exhibition “Pravěk Uherskohradišťska” at the Slovácké Museum in the Great Moravia Memorial in Staré Město. The exhibition has texts in Czech, English, German and Russian and is adapted for blind and visually impaired visitors. Check current museum access information before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Hradčovice, Ořechov, Hostětín, Újezdec, Dolní Němčí, Kunovice, Kudlovice, Jalubí.

For the broader travel overview: Okres Uherské Hradiště.