Niva lies in the northern part of the Drahanská Highlands, west of Prostějov. Nature monuments, the Bílá Voda stream with its three ponds, walking and cycling routes, and the history behind the former name Hartmanice give this destination several distinct facets. As you plan, you can decide whether wetlands, outdoor activities or local history will be the focus of your stay.
Wet Meadows, Stream and Ponds
The area around Horní rybník is protected as the Nivské louky Nature Monument. It includes meadow communities and wetland areas that are home to rare and endangered plant and animal species. In the southern centre of Niva lies the Návesní niva Nature Monument. It consists of waterlogged floodplain meadows with a diverse range of plant and animal life, including amphibians.
The two nature monuments occupy different areas: Nivské louky lies around Horní rybník, while Návesní niva is in the southern centre. This makes it possible to distinguish the pond surroundings from the floodplain meadows as separate landscape features. When visiting Návesní niva, please observe the local nature protection rules.
The Bílá Voda stream also shapes the local landscape: it flows through Niva and feeds all three of the village’s ponds. The stream and ponds add another natural feature to the wet meadows. In Niva, the landscape therefore includes both specific habitats and the connection between a watercourse and the ponds.
Walking and Cycling
Several hiking trails and a cycle route pass through Niva. When planning, you can distinguish between the two ways of getting around: there are several hiking trails, while cycle route 5075 is a specifically named route. This lets you decide whether to follow the hiking trails or include a cycle route in your travel plans.
Cycle route 5075, signposted as the Greenway Krakov–Morava–Vienna, passes through Niva and connects Sloup, Repechy, Plumlov and Prostějov. Please check the current signage and route before setting off. The places named indicate that the route extends beyond Niva; checking its current course is part of planning your cycling trip.
Hartmanice: Former Name and Local History
Niva was formerly called Hartmanice. The first written mention of Hartmanice dates back to 1347. The former name is therefore an important reference point if you are interested in the village’s historical development. The historical record spans from this early mention to events of the Second World War.
On 30 November 1942, during the Second World War, Hartmanice was evacuated and its population forcibly resettled. German troops used the village as a live-fire training ground. After the war, former residents returned. The history of Hartmanice therefore includes not only its former name, but also forced evacuation, military use and the return of its residents.
Discover more destinations: Dobrochov, Březsko, Určice, Mostkovice, Otinoves, Konice, Vitčice, Myslejovice.
For the wider travel overview: Okres Prostějov.
