A Baroque statue of the Virgin Mary dating from 1739 stands in Janov’s square, and the late Baroque Church of the Holy Trinity was built between 1780 and 1783. Together with historic burial chapels, examples of folk architecture and traces of mining history, they give the village a distinctive historical character. At the same time, Janov is set in a landscape shaped by valleys, ridges, forests and meadows. During your stay, you can therefore choose between exploring local history and taking walks in the surrounding area.

Architecture and History in Janov

The Church of the Holy Trinity and the statue of the Virgin Mary date from the late 18th century and 1739, respectively. Two other historic buildings stand in the cemetery: a Neo-Renaissance chapel and a Neo-Gothic chapel, both from the 19th century. Houses numbered 21 and 49 are also examples of folk architecture. The different architectural styles are spread across the square, the cemetery and individual houses; each tells its own story of Janov’s architectural past.

Janov is a medieval mining town and, at the same time, a typical agricultural forest-strip village. These two descriptions point to different aspects of the village’s history: mining and its rural settlement pattern are both part of its character. The Janov Museum was established in the 1990s, when the former school building was first reconstructed. The museum’s history is thus also linked to that of the school building.

A centuries-old lime tree stands 800 metres southwest of the square, in the direction of Zlaté Hory. Its location provides a clear landmark in the surrounding area. Those interested in the archaeological landscape can find structures built from flat stones in the southern part of Janov. Their enclosure walls are up to two metres high. These visible stone structures add another kind of historical trace to the churches, chapels and traditional houses.

Landscape and Walks

Janov lies in the western part of the Osoblažsko microregion, in the valley of the Petrovický potok. From there, the landscape rises steeply towards the ridges of the Hrubý Jeseník. The surrounding area alternates between ridges, forests and meadows, with strips of field boundaries crossing the landscape. These features give the area its rural character and offer a different perspective from the village’s historic buildings. Walks in this landscape are possible at any time of year.

The St. Roch No. 6 educational trail runs through the Janov district along the border with Poland and entirely on marked hiking paths. It mostly follows forest tracks through rough terrain, largely covered by coniferous woodland. The terrain is therefore an important practical consideration when planning; check local trail conditions before setting out. There is also a small forest playground along the educational trail. As facilities can change, it is also advisable to check its condition locally before your visit.

When choosing where to stay, consider whether you would prefer to explore Janov’s architectural and historical landmarks or set aside time for walks in the surrounding landscape. The village’s history can be explored through specific buildings and structures; the paths and landscape features offer a different focus. This leaves you free to shape your stay around your own interests without having to follow a fixed route between the individual sights.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Ryžoviště, Rusín, Dětřichov Nad Bystřicí, Stará Rudná, Bílčice, Slezské Rudoltice, Vysoká, Liptaň.

View the overview of the wider travel area: Bruntál District.