Well-preserved remains of a Romanesque presbytery dating from the first half of the 13th century were uncovered beneath the floor of the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. This discovery adds a specific historical note to Stěbořice. Other highlights range from viewpoints and the history of fortifications to botanical areas and interactive nature information boards. As you plan, you can decide whether to focus primarily on architectural history, landscape or nature.
Romanesque Architecture and Archaeological Traces
The Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary is one of the few surviving Romanesque monuments in the Moravian-Silesian Region. Well-preserved remains of a Romanesque presbytery dating from the first half of the 13th century were uncovered beneath its floor. A notice from the National Heritage Institute (NPÚ) dated 25 May 2026 reported the discovery. The complex is single-nave and includes a two-storey Baroque rectory in the centre of Stěbořice. The presbytery is the choir area of the church; it is where the Romanesque remains were found. This sacred complex therefore brings together Romanesque and Baroque architectural history.
Háj, a Slavic burial mound site, is designated as an important archaeological site in Stěbořice. Forty-three burial mounds have been examined at the Slavic burial ground; their shapes are still visible in the terrain today. The difference from the church lies in the historical evidence: at Háj, visible landforms take centre stage, while at the church it is the Romanesque remains and the Baroque rectory.
Views and the History of Fortifications
The Šibenice Lookout Tower offers views of the surrounding area and information about the construction of the Šibenice fortress and the local fortifications. A military shelter from the 1970s is also open to visitors. You can drive to within about 150 m of the lookout tower and park on a paved area. Here, views of the surrounding area are combined with specific insights into the history of local fortifications.
Plant Collections at the Nový Dvůr Arboretum
The plant areas at the Nový Dvůr Arboretum are arranged by theme. They include North American forests and prairies, Siberia, a Japanese garden and plants from the Himalayas. The selection covers different geographical themes, giving the plant areas a clear structure. Exhibitions are held regularly at the arboretum. The exhibition “Quido. The Story of the Arboretum at Nový Dvůr” presents Quido Riedel, the development of the arboretum and the history of the chateau. This offers both botanical topics and a distinct perspective on the person, the history of the arboretum and the history of the chateau.
Trails with Nature Information
The Beránkova Trail is approximately 2 km long. Interactive information boards offer an entertaining introduction to local wildlife and plant life, waste disposal and how an anthill works. The route is accessible with a pushchair, preferably an all-terrain model. Depending on the weather, some sections may be harder to walk or travel along. It is therefore worth checking the weather before your visit, especially if you are planning to bring a pushchair.
An Astronomical Highlight
On the Planetary Trail, a station featuring the planet Neptune is located in front of the cultural centre in Stěbořice. Unlike the nature-related themes of the Beránkova Trail, this station offers a single astronomical highlight.
Discover more destinations: Velké Hoštice, Mladecko, Hradec Nad Moravicí, Dolní Benešov, Budišovice, Bratříkovice, Štěpánkovice, Hlubočec
For the wider travel overview: Opava District.
