Pustiměř lies on the border between the intensively farmed Haná region and the wooded landscape of the Drahanská Highlands. The town also has a clear cultural focus: the Church of St. Benedict, a Romanesque rotunda and the Chapel of St. Anne represent different chapters of its history. In the wider region, Melice adds archaeological heritage and an educational trail to the picture. When planning a stay, you can therefore first consider whether you are mainly interested in sacred history, the landscape or both.

Landscape and Nature in Pustiměř

Within Pustiměř, the Letiště Marchanice Natural Monument protects the habitat of the European ground squirrel (Spermophilus citellus). If you plan to visit the area, check the current access rules before entering. The protected area is a natural point of interest in its own right, alongside the historic sites; it does not guarantee that you will see the animal. Another of Pustiměř’s important natural features is the Pustiměřská lípa near the church. Together, these two features point to different aspects of local nature: a protected habitat and a notable tree.

Rotunda, Pilgrimage Chapel and Parish Church

The Roman Catholic parish Church of St. Benedict is Pustiměř’s most distinctive cultural landmark. The present church was built in 1900 and 1901 in place of the older church. The remains of the Romanesque Rotunda of St. Pantaleon, dating from the first quarter of the 12th century, belong to a different period. The Chapel of St. Anne is right next to the rotunda. Toward the end of the 17th century, it became a pilgrimage church. The svatoanenská pouť is held there every year around July 26; the exact dates may vary from year to year. If you would like to plan your stay around the festival, check the event dates for the year in question.

The history of the town extends beyond individual buildings: in the Vyškovsko region, Pustiměř is considered one of the oldest settlements documented in writing. Its different historical connections are easy to distinguish: the rotunda dates back to the early Middle Ages, the pilgrimage church reflects a later religious tradition, and the present parish church was built in 1900 and 1901.

Melice and the Ostatky Tradition

Melice, the archaeologically investigated ruins of a bishop’s castle, lies in the wider region. An extensive outer bailey stood on a promontory between Pustiměř and Drysice. The Melice educational trail is an approximately 6.5 km circular route along paved and forest paths. It is suitable for families with children. Check local conditions before setting out; the stated distance is approximate.

Pustiměř’s Ostatky festival also offers a glimpse into a local tradition. This includes the ceremonial transfer of control over the municipality from the mayor to the Ostatníci as part of the ostatkové právo. At the celebration on February 8, 2026, this custom was described as part of the local tradition. Ostatky is a two-day festival celebrated approximately every two to three years; the timing may vary depending on local arrangements. If you are planning a trip for the festival, check the specific event dates.

Planning Your Visit and Stay

Pustiměř can be reached by car or bus. There is a small parking area near a shop and a bus stop; check local parking conditions. When looking for a hotel for your stay, it helps to decide what you would like to focus on: sacred architecture and pilgrimage history in the town, or nature and archaeology in the wider area as well. This lets you treat Pustiměř’s local history and the separate destinations around Melice as distinct parts of your plans.

Discover more destinations: Zelená Hora, Milešovice, Prusy-Boškůvky, Orlovice, Nové Sady, Habrovany, Hvězdlice, Bučovice.

For the regional travel overview: Vyškov District.