A viewing pavilion above the Oder Valley, a stone steeped in legend and a late Baroque church offer different ways to experience Heřmánky: nature, hiking and architectural history. When planning your trip, you can first decide whether to focus on the history of the church and Fojtství or the trails around Švédská skála. The rail connection is another factor to consider; check the timetables before travelling.
Church and architectural history
The first written mention of Heřmánky dates from 1362. The folk-style furnishings in the late Baroque Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary date from 1783. These two dates highlight different aspects of the past: the early written record of the village and the specifically dated furnishings of the church.
An active cemetery surrounds the church. The gate and cemetery wall are well maintained; check their condition when you visit. The remaining German gravestones have been moved to a lapidarium at the rear of the cemetery.
Another point of interest is the former Fojtství, a cultural monument with a medieval vaulted cellar. The complex dates from the last third of the 18th century. It is a fine example of how Neoclassical architectural elements became part of folk architecture. At the same time, the building has retained a high degree of authenticity and is one of the few surviving buildings of this type, function and age in the Moravian-Silesian Region.
Spring, tree and Švédská skála
Jubileum Spring is a natural attraction in Heřmánky. Another notable natural feature is the Tomčík yew in the garden of the former Fojtství. Its trunk has a circumference of 240 cm. Here, natural and architectural history come together, while the spring offers an attraction in its own right.
A viewing pavilion on Švédská skála looks out over Heřmánky and the Oder Valley. Archaeological finds at Švédská skála also attest to the existence of a hillfort. The views and archaeological history give the site two distinct points of interest.
Hiking and cycling
You can plan a walk around Švédská skála. The Heřmánkový Circuit leads to the legendary Čertův kámen and both starts and ends at the Heřmánky ČD railway station. Check local conditions before setting off. Another nearby hike leads from the slate quarry to the pilgrimage site of Panna Maria ve Skále in nearby Klokočůvek; check this route locally as well.
A green-marked hiking trail leads from Heřmánky station towards the Oder Valley and onwards to Panna Maria ve Skále. The hikes described here have different starting points: the slate quarry for one and Heřmánky station for the other. Markers for the Na Čermence natural monument are visible before Klokočov station. It is an important nesting area in an old beech forest.
There is also a cycling route to follow: cycle route No. 503 passes through Heřmánky. As route information can change, check the current route before setting off. Hiking, cycling and architectural history offer different ways to plan your trip, so you do not need to fit every destination into a single outing.
Getting there and finding accommodation
Heřmánky is served by railway line No. 276 between Budišov nad Budišovkou and Suchdol nad Odrou. The 903238 transport connection between Odry, Jakubčovice nad Odrou and Vítkov also serves the village. Check current timetables before travelling. When looking for a holiday apartment, you can consider travel arrangements and planned activities separately: the timetable matters for train travel, while the current route and local conditions matter for hiking.
Discover more destinations: Trnávka, Ženklava, Heřmanice U Oder, Tísek, Mošnov, Rybí, Příbor, Bílovec
Go to the wider travel guide: Nový Jičín District.
