Velké Janovice stretches along both banks of the Janovický potok, which rises in the forests above the village. To the west lies the Údolí Janovického potoka, home to rare plant species. Religious landmarks, a historic mill and routes through the village complete the picture. Nature, local history and route planning thus offer different interests for a stay.

Village Setting and Nature

The Údolí Janovického potoka area is home to rare and highly endangered plant species that have largely disappeared from the surrounding landscape. These plants provide a livelihood for several rarer insect species. The area was registered as a significant landscape feature on October 14, 2005. Its continued management is expected to involve gentle grazing or mowing the grassland at suitable times. The connection to nature is therefore concrete: it concerns a named valley, its distinctive plant life and the importance of these plants to rarer insects.

Chapel, Cross and Mill History

The Chapel of Panny Marie Bolestné has stood in Velké Janovice since 1892 and continues to serve religious purposes; it was last renovated in 2009. A large cross dating from 1863, older than the chapel, stands nearby. The Poustevna hermitage was blessed on July 23, 2005, by Vojtěch Cikrle, the thirteenth Bishop of Brno. Together, the chapel, cross and hermitage give the village’s religious history specific names and dates.

The mill’s original building and mechanism have been preserved; it ceased operating in 1939. What remains of the mill and when milling ended mark two different aspects of its history. The mill’s story thus complements the religious landmarks with another theme in the village’s history.

Routes and Travel Planning

The “Za sportem” route is 58 kilometres long and passes through Velké Janovice. It follows paved roads, surfaced roads and farm tracks. The Jimramovská loop of the Zubří stezky 8 reaches the village at kilometre 17. These figures are not directly comparable: 58 kilometres is the total length of “Za sportem,” while kilometre 17 marks the point where Velké Janovice is reached on the Jimramovská loop. The figures therefore describe different things: the length of one route and the village’s position on another. For the “Za sportem” route, two different details matter: the distance indicates its length, while the route types add information about the surfaces.

The traditional pilgrimage is another possible reason to visit: it takes place in Velké Janovice in August. If you wish to plan your trip around it, check the exact date in advance.

Discover more destinations: Unčín, Budeč, Bohdalov, Fryšava Pod Žákovou Horou, Kadolec, Ujčov, Nové Sady, Netín.

See the overview of the wider area: Okres Žďár Nad Sázavou.