When planning a trip to Koryčany, you can choose between two distinct focuses: cultural history with specific historical landmarks, or a longer hike. The route from Koryčany to Osvětimany is listed as 14 kilometres and five hours, including a visit to Cimburk Castle. The historical themes range from a parish church first mentioned in 1350 to a villa declared a cultural monument in 2023.
Castle Garden and Access Conditions
Koryčany Castle is a Baroque chateau built after 1677. The chateau itself is not open to the public; the well-maintained garden can be visited year-round. Check access conditions before setting out. The castle park covers 2.8 hectares. When planning your visit, it is therefore important to distinguish between the building and the garden: the garden can be visited, but the chateau cannot.
Cultural History Between Villa, Church and Cemetery
Thonetova vila was built in 1896 to a design by the Viennese firm Fellner & Helmer. In March 2023, the Czech Ministry of Culture declared the villa a cultural monument. Its year of construction and its later designation as a monument mark two distinct points in its history. Those interested in architecture and the development of local cultural heritage will find a clearly dated point of reference here.
The parish church in Koryčany, dedicated to Saint Lawrence, is first mentioned in 1350. The church houses a life-size Gothic wooden statue of the Virgin Mary dating from around the end of the 14th century. The information about the church and the statue thus refers to different historical periods: the church was first mentioned in the 14th century, while the statue is dated to roughly the end of that century.
The Jewish cemetery also offers specific historical points of reference: it contains more than 200 gravestones, and the oldest surviving one dates from 1674. In the 1990s, the cemetery was designated a state-protected cultural monument. The date of the gravestone and the later protection decision should be understood as different aspects of the site, not as the same event.
Hike to Osvětimany and Kazatelna
The hiking route “Přechod Chřibů z Koryčan do Osvětiman” starts at the car service centre in Koryčany and ends in Osvětimany. Its listed length is 14 kilometres; the five-hour duration includes a visit to Cimburk Castle. This is a separate, longer excursion option. Actual walking time may vary depending on conditions and how long you spend along the way, so check the route details before setting out.
On the route, steps carved into the rock lead to the Kazatelna rock. The sandstone outcrop rises from a slope; from there, the view stretches across the Kyjovka Valley to the opposite ridge of the Chřibské hřbety, Cimburk Castle and part of the Koryčanská přehrada. Kazatelna thus combines a specific section of the trail with views of several named landscape features.
Landscape and Seasonal Events
A different type of landscape awaits near Koryčany at Moravanské lúky: the area consists of forest meadows and small woodland clearings, covers 8.72 hectares and was designated a nature reserve on 28 October 1990. Unlike the sandstone outcrop of Kazatelna, which rises from a slope, this name refers to an area of meadows and clearings.
Swimming in the Koryčanská přehrada is prohibited in the immediate vicinity of Koryčany because the entire reservoir lies within drinking water protection zone 1. If water activities are part of your plans, check the local notices. The swimming restriction is an important distinction between viewing part of the reservoir from Kazatelna and spending time by the water.
Recurring traditions also bring seasonal highlights. The traditional Koryčanská pouť takes place on the first weekend of September; the specific dates vary from year to year. A traditional pilgrimage is held annually in the surrounding area at Hora svatého Klimenta during the Whitsun holidays. If one of these events is important to your trip, check the dates in advance.
Getting to the Hike
To reach the hike, travel from Kroměříž to Koryčany by bus operated by the Zlín Region Integrated Transport system (IDZK). This information relates to getting to this particular route. As timetables are subject to change, check the current schedule before departure.
Discover more destinations: Kremsier, Roštín, Zástřizly, Němčice, Zlobice, Střílky, Počenice-Tetětice, Horní Lapač
For the overview of the wider area: Kroměříž District.
