A 350-metre-high hill, a chapel accessible all year round and a protected wine-growing heritage reserve define Blatnice Pod Svatým Antonínkem. Svatý Antonínek lies between Blatnice Pod Svatým Antonínkem and Ostrožská Lhota and forms the last spur of the White Carpathians. Visitors interested in the area will find several different perspectives here: pilgrimages, wine culture, local history and a planetary trail.
Svatý Antonínek and the Pilgrimages
The chapel on Svatý Antonínek is accessible to pilgrims and tourists all year round. As opening arrangements may change, it is advisable to check them before your visit. Pilgrimages are held regularly on the hill. These include the local pilgrimage and the main pilgrimage in June, the Thanksgiving and Harvest Pilgrimage on the last Sunday in August, and the All Souls’ pilgrimage in October. The exact dates vary from year to year, so if you are planning to attend a particular pilgrimage, check the current dates.
The hill combines a striking landscape setting with religious significance. A visit therefore centres not only on the chapel, but also on the pilgrimage traditions. The White Carpathians provide the surrounding landscape: Svatý Antonínek is their last spur and is also situated between two towns. When planning your trip, it is best to consider a chapel visit and a pilgrimage as separate occasions, since the regular pilgrimages have their own dates, which vary each year.
Wine Traditions and the Heritage Reserve
Vinné búdy Pod Starou horou lies on the outskirts of the town and forms a protected heritage reserve. Its distinctive features are the above-ground wine-press buildings, arranged in a single row. This means Blatnice’s wine traditions can be explored through both events and architecture: in addition to tastings, the architectural ensemble is one of the defining features of the area.
During the traditional Blatnické vinobraní, wine cellars open their doors and visitors can taste wine and burčák. The programme also includes a folk-costume procession and cultural events. Another event is Putování po blatnických búdách, when around 30 local wine cellars open to visitors. Check the programmes and dates before travelling. Those wishing to focus on wine traditions can choose between a festival featuring tastings and a cultural programme, and an event with open cellars.
Museum and Planetary Trail
The Blatnické Museum explores local life through craft tools, household furnishings, folk costume items, historical photographs and documents. An exhibition of a sewing workshop features 30 sewing machines, and there is also a collection of 13,000 buttons. The various objects, costume items and visual sources offer different ways to explore local history without focusing on just one craft.
The Planetary Trail offers a very different theme. Each station features a scale model of a planet and an information board with basic details and further information about that planet. The stations thus pair a model with more information about its respective celestial body. When choosing between the local attractions, there is a clear contrast: the museum and heritage reserve showcase local history and architectural heritage, while the Planetary Trail focuses on the planets.
Plan for Nature and Travel
The Střečkův kopec natural monument, a nature destination nearby, lies about 1.5 kilometres northeast of Blatnice Pod Svatým Antonínkem. It can be reached via a clay farm track. As access conditions may change seasonally, check them before your visit.
Blatnice Pod Svatým Antonínkem is accessible by bus and train. The railway station is about two kilometres from the town. Check connections and timetables before travelling so you can factor the final leg from the station into your plans. The attractions mentioned offer different reasons to consider Blatnice Pod Svatým Antonínkem as a destination.
Discover more destinations: Šardice, Nasedlovice, Nenkovice, Sudoměřice, Kostelec U Kyjova, Kelčany, Velká Nad Veličkou, Louka.
For the broader travel overview: Okres Hodonín.
