Stínava lies 400 metres above sea level at the foot of the Drahanská Highlands. The Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, the Okluka stream and ponds in a restored wetland give the village distinct points of interest. Those wishing to explore culture and landscape side by side will find ways into the village’s history, its sacred traditions, its forests and a hiking trail through Stínava. Which of these aspects interests you most may already influence your choice of destination.

Church and traces of history

The Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is a cultural monument dating from the 13th century. Renovations in the 17th and 19th centuries have not displaced its original character. This sequence of periods makes the building a distinctive anchor for the village’s history: its origins date back to the Middle Ages, while the later changes are part of its development.

Individual details also tell of different periods. Remains of frescoes have been preserved in the presbytery behind the main altar; the church also has a bell dating from 1490. The fresco remains are located within the church, while the bell’s date provides a specific historical reference point. Together, they give the church more depth than the date of its origins alone.

The cultural heritage extends beyond the church building: Stínava is in the immediate vicinity of the Celtic settlement of Staré Hradisko. The village can therefore be understood in relation both to a cultural monument from the 13th century and to archaeological evidence of Celtic settlement in the surrounding area. Another sacred tradition is the festive mass celebrated each year in the chapel of Stínava on the feast day of the missionary saints Cyril and Methodius. The chapel above the Studánka Sv. Cyrila a Metoděje spring was restored in 1881.

Ponds, stream and forest

The ponds of Stínava were created by restoring a former wetland; the restoration project was completed in 2014. They are also a habitat for wetland species. These include snakes, newts, salamanders, snails and crayfish, as well as various species of frogs, diving beetles, dragonflies, damselflies and aquatic plants. Nature enthusiasts will therefore encounter not just a landscape feature, but an area with a diverse habitat function.

The ponds lie near the Okluka stream and provide a place to rest for tourists passing through or hiking across Stínava. The stream is also a point of reference in the village: the Okluka flows around Stínava. Forests surround the village, and the area is well suited to walking. The Jesinková spring is in the forest near Stínava, adding a specific natural site to these landscape features.

Hiking through Stínava

A red-marked hiking trail from Plumlov to Stražisko passes through Stínava. This makes the village part of a route with named endpoints; no walking time or route length is specified. If you plan your walk around this hiking trail, check the current markings before setting out. The ponds, in turn, provide a place to rest for travellers hiking through or passing through Stínava. Both details help with orientation without implying a specific schedule for the walk.

Stínava’s main points of interest are easy to distinguish: the church brings together medieval origins, fresco remains and a bell dating from 1490; the landscape is shaped by the Okluka, the forest, the spring and the restored wetland. Those primarily interested in cultural history will find specific points of interest at the church and chapel. Those who prefer to focus on the landscape and its natural features can look to the ponds, their biodiversity and the hiking trail.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Hruška, Čehovice, Ochoz, Prostějovičky, Koválovice-Osíčany, Suchdol, Pěnčín, Stařechovice.

For the higher-level travel overview: Okres Prostějov.