Velký Újezd combines its location at the foot of the Oderské vrchy with a long history of hiking and several cultural monuments that can be dated. You can plan your trip around different interests: a day of hiking, a look at local history, or a visit during one of the recurring events. If you are looking for a holiday apartment, you can first choose your travel dates to suit these interests—June and the period around 15 August are particularly useful points of reference.
Landscape and surroundings
Velký Újezd lies on a gently sloping hillside at the foot of the Oderské vrchy. The source of the Odra is also nearby, about six kilometres from the village. When planning, you can therefore consider the village’s location and a nearby destination separately. The local hiking event offers another reason to combine your stay with outdoor activity.
Hiking routes of varying lengths
The Memoriál Jaroslava Švarce has been organised as a long-distance hiking event every June since 1968. The exact date varies from year to year. For the 2026 edition, the KČT listing gives routes of 6, 10, 17, 25, 35 and 50 kilometres. For this edition, the start and finish are at the TJ Sokol sports ground in Velký Újezd; route details and the start and finish location may change in future editions. The different distances give you a concrete basis for deciding how much hiking to do that day. The KČT listing for 2026 includes the Memoriál as an IVV and Turistická 200 hiking event. If you are travelling in June, it is advisable to check the specific event date in advance.
Church and local history
The Church of St James the Greater is a Baroque church. Its present appearance dates from 1749–1751; it was built during those years to a design by architect Mikuláš Thalherr. The local cultural heritage also includes the Vrchnostenský špitál, dating from 1749, the Poštovní přepřahací stanice from 1791, and the Chapel of Panny Marie Lurdské, which is listed as a cultural monument of Velký Újezd. The dates provide a tangible framework for the village’s history: the church and špitál point to 1749, while the post station marks a later point in time. The church, špitál and post station reflect the religious, social and transport-related aspects of local history.
Events and local traditions
The events calendar also offers various reasons to visit. The traditional Velkoújezdské hody are always held around 15 August; the programme changes from year to year. Since 1976, TJ Sokol has regularly organised an evening march in honour of 28 October, although the exact dates vary. The Podhoran theatre association has staged theatre premieres since 1958. These traditions differ in both season and type: the long-distance hike and evening march involve physical activity, while theatre premieres and hody offer other cultural occasions. For planning your trip, the specific date therefore matters more than any assumption that the programme is the same every year.
Choosing when to travel
The village’s history also includes an earlier culinary tradition: homemade Tvarůžky were made in Velký Újezd from 1895, and production ended after the Second World War. This is a historical part of the village’s profile, not a claim that they are made there today. Likewise, the location on an old trade route, with a ford between Olomouc and Lipník nad Bečvou, recalls the area’s history of transport. Velký Újezd has good bus connections. Check the timetable for your specific travel date before setting off. When looking for a holiday apartment, you can then decide whether to focus your trip on the June hiking event, the August traditions or the cultural monuments.
Discover more destinations: Hrubá Voda, Jívová, Skrbeň, Příkazy, Zadni Ujezd, Svésedlice, Senice Na Hané, Uničov
For the broader travel overview: Okres Olomouc.
