Vikantice in the mountain region

Vikantice is a small mountain village in the Rychleby Mountains, right next to the Jeseníky Mountains. The village lies at an altitude of 613 metres, in a picturesque, rugged landscape. Two aspects therefore define the destination: its elevation and its proximity to two named mountain regions. If you would like to combine nature and local history, Vikantice offers both scenic and cultural-historical points of interest.

Village history and church

Vikantice is first mentioned in 1437 as a village belonging to the Kolštejn estate. The filial Church of St. Wolfgang dates from 1641; it already had a predecessor building at least a century earlier. Since 1958, the church, including its perimeter wall, has been protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic. The dates refer to different milestones: 1437 to the first mention of the village, and 1641 to the construction of the church. The predecessor building adds an even earlier layer to this chronology. This makes it possible to distinguish the history of the village from the history of its buildings, even though both form part of Vikantice’s historical story.

Film and the area’s former use

Miroslav Krobot’s film Díra u Hanušovic was shot in Vikantice. The area’s former graphite mining offers another historical connection. While the film establishes a specific link to film culture, mining is part of the surrounding area’s history. For those interested in culture, these connections complement the church and administrative chronology with film history and earlier industrial use.

Scenery and natural features

Vikantický kopec is about one kilometre from Vikantice, along the road to Habartice. From the hill above Vikantice, you can see the Králický Sněžník massif, the southernmost part of the Rychleby Mountains and a large part of the western Jeseníky Mountains. The panorama thus takes in different parts of the neighbouring mountain regions. Another named natural feature is the Valíčkova lípa in Vikantice: its trunk circumference is 540 centimetres and it is 22 metres tall. The hill offers wide-ranging views, while the lime tree is a single natural feature with specific measurements.

Cycling routes through Vikantice

The Staroměstská cycling route passes through Vikantice. The Jeseníky section of the Moravská stezka cycling route also runs through the village. These are two differently named route connections; for the Moravská stezka, the Jeseníky section is specified. Before setting out, check the local route of the Staroměstská cycling route and the current conditions on the Moravská stezka. This will help you plan around the connection you actually choose.

The village’s history, scenery and cycling connections offer different points to consider when planning a trip. Those particularly interested in history will find specific dates for the first mention of the village and for the church. Those who want to focus on the natural surroundings can take their cue from the mountain views described here and the Valíčkova lípa; for a cycling trip, the two named routes offer another option.

Discover more destinations: Kopřivná, Ruda Nad Moravou, Lukavice, Bohdíkov, Mohelnice, Vikýřovice, Rejchartice, Postřelmůvek.

For the broader travel overview: Okres Šumperk.