The Neoclassical Church of St. Wenceslas defines Pňovice’s historic village square. At the same time, part of the cadastral area lies within the Litovelské Pomoraví Protected Landscape Area. The village’s history and its floodplain landscape thus offer two distinct perspectives on the place.
Floodplain landscape and Olšina Pond
Pňovice lies in a flat agricultural landscape in the Morava Valley floodplain, between the Hlavnice stream and the Oskava. Part of the cadastral area extends into the Litovelské Pomoraví Protected Landscape Area, characterised by preserved floodplain forests and the meandering Morava. For travellers interested in river landscapes, both the agriculturally shaped valley floodplain and the protected floodplain area are important points of reference.
Olšina Pond offers another connection with nature in the village: it is used for fishing, recreation and relaxation in nature. Rybáři Pňovice looks after the pond and its surroundings. If you would like to fish there, check access and conditions on site.
Village square and local history
The Church of St. Wenceslas was built in 1771. Nearby stands a historic rectory dating from 1773; at the far end of the village square is a restored statue of St. John of Nepomuk from 1860. The years 1771 and 1773 are close together, while the statue provides a later point of reference. The village square’s history can therefore be traced through three precisely dated local landmarks.
The first surviving written mention of Pňovice dates from 1249 and refers to a medieval fortress, the seat of the Vladik Oneš of Pňovice. In the 14th century, Pňovice belonged to the estates of the Lords of Sovinec. Jan Pňovský ze Sovince, who became captain of the town of Litovel, came from a branch of these lords established in Pňovice.
Settlement in the area dates back to the Neolithic and Hallstatt periods. Numerous archaeological finds from these and later periods are kept at the Vlastivědné muzeum in Olomouc. The village’s historical arc thus encompasses early settlement periods, medieval written records and buildings from later centuries.
Crafts, music and events
At historical events, the Kirri Historical Society demonstrates craft techniques such as rope making, pouch making, tablet weaving, lucet work and arrow making, as well as historical cooking. The demonstrations bring together a range of activities, from working with rope and textiles to preparing historical dishes.
The Pňovice brass band also has a long history: it was founded in 1875, when headteacher Josef Řehák put together a small band of former military musicians. In summer, the band holds public rehearsals in Pňovice and neighbouring municipalities. If you would like to plan a visit to a rehearsal, check the announced dates. The programme for the 2023 Svatováclavské hody included a concert by Trio Moraviensis at the Church of St. Wenceslas.
Rybáři Pňovice organises fishing events and competitions for local residents and visitors. Check the dates and participation requirements if you would like to include one in your plans. The Oskava Cup can also be placed in context using previous editions: on 26 May 2018, teams of six competed in an event involving about 8 km of cycling on roads and field tracks, about 2 km of rafting and crossing the Oskava from one bank to the other. The Cup was held for the fifth time in 2020.
Paddling on the Oskava
On the Zlatonosná Oskava paddling route, the section at Pňovice runs through the backwater area of the power plant weir. Before reaching the next low bridge, boaters must pull their boats ashore and carry them along the footpath below the power plant. Water levels, navigability and access may change; check current conditions before setting out. These details are especially relevant if you are choosing Pňovice for the paddling route: the section described includes both paddling in the backwater area and a designated portage point.
Discover more destinations: Hněvotín, Šumvald, Domašov U Šternberka, Lipinka, Bělkovice-Lašťany, Majetín, Žerotín, Štarnov.
For the regional travel overview: Olomouc District.
