Perná combines a rich historical heritage with a landscape that surrounds the village: it lies at the foot of the Pavlov Hills, among limestone cliffs and vineyards. Areas bordering the village are already part of the Pálava Protected Landscape Area. This distinction helps when planning your trip: in the village, the history of its churches, fountain and village square takes centre stage; in the adjoining areas of Pálava, the landscape is shaped by marked trails and protected species. The area also has a winemaking history dating back to the 14th century.
Church history spanning several centuries
The parish Church of St Nicholas was built between 1510 and 1583 on the site of an earlier chapel. Its four-sided tower is 42.5 metres high; a lower, tower-like round structure was added in 1767. Inside, a stone baptismal font from the first half of the 15th century has been preserved. The font is therefore older than the church building. The construction history and architectural details are easy to distinguish chronologically: the church was built after the earlier chapel, and the addition to the tower came later.
Chapel, village square and local history
The Chapel of St Anthony of Padua was built in 1652 northwest of Perná. It was associated with famous, heavily attended pilgrimages; it was closed by imperial decree in 1786. On the village square, the Holy Trinity group dates from 1865. The fountain, built in 1902, is in the Neo-Empire style and served as a horse trough. These different landmarks tell of religious tradition and a former everyday function—two distinct ways to explore local history.
Winemaking and grape breeding
Winemaking in Perná dates back to the 14th century. Grape breeding is also part of the village’s history: a viticultural breeding station was established here in 1946. The Pálava grape variety was bred in 1979; this was the first major breeding success at the national level. The long tradition of cultivation and this breeding success offer different perspectives on Perná’s winemaking history. They add a historical development that goes beyond cultivation to the story of the vineyards.
Pálava, vineyards and ruins
Areas adjoining Perná are part of the Pálava Protected Landscape Area. Numerous protected plant and animal species are found there. Perná itself lies among limestone cliffs and vineyards at the foot of the Pavlov Hills. Vineyards as well as apricot and peach orchards have been established in the western part of the cadastral area. The romantic ruins of Sirotčí Castle rise above Perná. Alongside the historic buildings in the village, the landscape, agricultural land use and a striking ruined castle are also worth exploring.
Hiking and cycling
The parts of the Pálava landscape adjoining Perná have a dense network of marked hiking trails. In many places, the trails are complemented by educational trail information panels. Before setting out on a hike, it is worth checking the current visitor regulations. Perná is a starting point for a cycling tour on the Mikulov–Březí–Nový Přerov–Novosedly–Dolní Dunajovice–Bavory–Mikulov circular route. Check the latest route information before setting out. This makes it easy to plan two different activities: hiking trails in the adjoining areas of Pálava and a regional circular cycling route.
Discover more destinations: Kostice, Šakvice, Popice, Němčičky U Hustopečí, Milovice U Mikulova, Novosedly Na Moravě, Pouzdřany, Hustopeče
For the broader travel overview: Břeclav District.
