Olšany has a clear focus on cycling tourism, as well as specific nature and heritage-protection themes. These include Jechovec, a protected group of trees and the Chapel of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Anyone looking for a cycling-related destination can assess Olšany in light of this focus; nature and heritage protection add other specific features.

Chapel and protected trees

The Chapel of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Olšany has heritage-protection identification number ÚSKP 17622/7-5047. A protected broad-leaved lime tree stands beside the chapel. A record dated 31 August 2009 gives its height as 26 metres and estimates its age at about 260 years. The age is therefore explicitly an estimate, recorded on a specific date.

The protected group of trees is named “Jilm drsný, Lípa a jilm u kapličky v Olšanech”. The name refers to elms and a lime tree by the chapel in Olšany. Together with the broad-leaved lime tree, it provides a specific connection to nature alongside the named heritage-protected monument.

Jechovec and its alder woods

Jechovec is in the cadastral area of Olšany u Telče, about one kilometre southeast of the village, in the Markvartická Hills. The protected area covers 3.08 hectares and was designated in 1982. It lies in alder woods in spring areas and along streams. While the protected lime tree stands by the chapel, the Jechovec protected area is about one kilometre southeast of the village.

Jechovec consists of natural alder communities along streams and around springs, belonging to the Alnion incanae alliance; the black alder (Alnus glutinosa) dominates the stand. “Along streams” and “around springs” describe two types of location: beside streams and in spring areas. These details make the landscape type more specific than the general term “woodland.”

In the spring aspect, the spring snowflake (Leucojum vernum) is dominant. The waterlogged depressions in the alder woods are suitable for the reproduction of species such as the common toad (Bufo bufo), common frog (Rana temporaria) and alpine newt (Triturus alpestris). Characteristic bird species include the Eurasian wren (Troglodytes troglodytes), mistle thrush (Turdus viscivorus), European robin (Erithacus rubecula), Eurasian blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) and great spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos major). Jechovec’s natural features thus include seasonal plant characteristics, amphibian habitats and characteristic birds.

Getting there and finding accommodation

Olšany has public bus services; there is no railway in the village. Road I/23 from Dráchov to Brno runs through the Olšany area. If you plan to travel by bus, check the timetable for your travel dates. You can plan your journey by bus or by road.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Olšany, you can first decide what the main focus of your trip will be: will cycling tourism be the deciding factor, or are Jechovec and the named protected sites the more important reason for your visit?

Discover more destinations: Jihlávka, Záborná, Dlouhá Brtnice, Ústí U Humpolce, Vápovice, Dolní Cerekev, Luka Nad Jihlavou, Dyjice

For the main travel overview: Jihlava District.