Ryžoviště can be explored from different perspectives: the nature trail leads to Výšina, while the church, the statue of the Virgin Mary and the Lafayette story provide several historical points of interest. From the 682-metre-high hill, the view stretches far across the surrounding area. Together with the six information panels and the theme of gold panning, the trail has a clear local focus. If you are planning a stay, you can choose between scenic views, architectural history and the story of Lafayette.
Nature trail to Výšina
The Ryžoviště–Břidličná nature trail starts behind the primary school in Ryžoviště and leads to Výšina, which is 682 metres high. From there, the view stretches far across the surrounding area. Six information panels add to the trail; gold panning in Ryžoviště is one of the topics they cover. The trail thus offers both a named viewpoint and a connection to the town’s history. These two aspects appeal to different interests: the view from Výšina takes in the surrounding landscape, while the panels explore gold panning as a topic of the nature trail. If both interest you, you can make the trail one of the highlights of your stay.
Church and statue of the Virgin Mary
The Church of St John the Baptist is a prominent visual landmark in the area. The single-nave masonry building has a Renaissance core and was remodelled in the Baroque style in 1758. Its origins are thought to date back to the Middle Ages. A record of a parish from the mid-16th century documents the existence of a parish. These dates describe different aspects: the presumed origins, the Renaissance core, the remodelling in 1758 and the record from the mid-16th century. They should not be read as a single construction date. Anyone interested in architectural history will find several distinct points of reference here.
Another historic work of art is the stone Baroque statue of the Virgin Mary with the infant Jesus. It dates from 1733 and was created by the sculptor J. G. A. Heinz. Two putti are part of the design of its pedestal. Unlike the church, whose history encompasses several building phases and dates with varying degrees of certainty, the statue has a specific year of creation. Its material, subject, sculptor and date give it a distinctive character. The two sites can therefore be viewed in different ways: the church tells a story of architectural changes, while the statue represents a particular work and its design.
Lafayette and the historic house
The Lafayette story also links Ryžoviště to a specific historical event. The French general Lafayette was held in the Lafayette House in Ryžoviště in 1792. The single-storey Empire-style building was formerly a magistrate’s house dating from the late 18th century. It is privately owned and not open to the public. The local history exhibition about Lafayette in Ryžoviště is separate: visits can be arranged in person or by phone through the municipal office. If you would like to include the exhibition, you can arrange your visit there; the Lafayette House itself remains private and closed to the public.
Discover more destinations: Horní Město, Dívčí Hrad, Bohušov, Svobodné Heřmanice, Heřmanovice, Osoblaha, Nova Plan, Slezské Pavlovice.
See the broader travel overview: Bruntál District.
