Heršpice can be explored through tangible traces from different periods: two 19th-century churches, the earthworks of a fortified castle site, and the medieval settlement of Konůvky, whose foundation wall remains are visible in the archaeological area. Also nearby is the Jalový dvůr Natural Monument, designated to protect amphibians in the pond and the occurrence of Pontic-Pannonian plant species. If you are considering Heršpice as a destination, you can explore its church and local history, archaeological traces, and nature conservation as distinct themes.

Churches and Local History

At the centre of Heršpice stands the Catholic Church of St Matthew, built in 1870. The Evangelical church was built from 1864 to 1869. It was there that Tomáš G. Masaryk joined the Evangelical Church on 31 August 1880. The Evangelical church thus brings together its building history and a later event with a precise date, while 1870 marks a distinct construction date for the Catholic church. The two places of worship represent different denominations and are easy to distinguish by their dates.

Fortified Castle Site and the Konůvky Stronghold

Hrádek Kepkov is well preserved as the earthworks of a round castle site. Its residential area measures 27 × 23 metres and was fortified with a double rampart and a moat. The measurements give a tangible sense of its size, while the rampart and moat describe its defences. Together, these details provide a more concrete picture of the site than its name alone.

The complex of the Konůvky stronghold has its own architectural classification: it can be considered an intermediate structure between a manor farm and a fortress. This in-between status is the key point; the complex is not assigned exclusively to either of the two building types.

Konůvky and the Křižanovický Potok Valley

The vanished medieval settlement of Konůvky lies within the cadastral area of Heršpice. In the archaeological area, the visible foundation remains of 22 houses have been preserved. An educational trail with information panels runs through the area. The number of houses gives the surviving traces a tangible scale, while the distinction between the vanished settlement and the foundations visible today remains clear.

The meadow valley where Konůvky stood is also part of the area's history. From Rašovice or Heršpice, it takes just under two hours to reach the picturesque meadow valley through the Křižanovický Potok valley. This provides a time estimate for the route to the valley, in addition to the trail through the archaeological area.

Jalový dvůr and the Cycling Route

The Jalový dvůr Natural Monument extends around Heršpický rybník and the adjoining forest. It was designated to protect the breeding of several amphibian species in the pond, as well as the occurrence of Pontic-Pannonian plant species. The conservation objectives focus on two distinct aspects: amphibian breeding and specific plant species. Thus, the focus at Jalový dvůr is on nature conservation, unlike the churches and archaeological traces.

Cycling Route No. 507 runs alongside the natural monument and leads from Ostrov u Macochy into the Ždánický les. For planning purposes, one clear distinction is that Jalový dvůr is the protected area, while the cycling route is a named route that passes alongside it.

Discover more destinations: Kobeřice U Brna, Nemojany, Nesovice, Rousínov, Krasensko, Habrovany, Dražovice, Bučovice.

See the broader travel overview: Vyškov District.