In Velehrad, the history of church architecture and routes through the landscape offer two distinct ways to experience the town. When planning your trip, you can balance the length of the trails with cultural discoveries and local wine offerings instead of focusing on just one theme.
Basilica and sacred history
The Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and Saints Cyril and Methodius was originally a late Romanesque building dating from the first third of the 13th century. After suffering war damage, it took on its Baroque appearance, particularly following the fire of 1681. Its medieval origins and later Baroque form thus represent distinct chapters in its architectural history.
On a guided tour of the basilica, visitors see the main nave and side chapels. The “Bible for Young and Old” exhibition is interactive and includes hands-on elements and touchscreen activities. Another exhibition, “Velehrad at the Crossroads of European History,” is housed in rooms of the former medieval convent, which lies below today’s ground level, in the Baroque crypts of the basilica, and in the Velehrad House of Saints Cyril and Methodius.
The lower level of the basilica also contains a sacred place commemorating Christian martyrs of the 20th century. There is also a gallery of witnesses to the faith of our time. These sacred sites and exhibitions complement the architectural history with further religious and historical themes.
Trails by length and character
The Cistercian trails through the landscape include an easy 4.2-kilometre route and a difficult 9.9-kilometre route. Along the way, they lead, among other places, to a former mill and farmstead, over a Baroque bridge, and along the medieval paved Háje path. The two routes can therefore be distinguished both by their length and by their stated difficulty level.
The “Velehradská hledačka” around the basilica is an easy 1.5-kilometre route that starts at the Velehrad Information Centre. A second “Velehradská hledačka” is 3.8 kilometres long and not physically demanding. The first is therefore the shorter of the two; the second is specifically described as requiring little physical effort.
The Háj educational trail offers a different focus: it is a two-kilometre forest loop combining interactive activities with audio stories accessible via QR codes. A rest pavilion is also part of the trail. While the Cistercian trails include historical features of the landscape, among other things, the educational trail offers activities and audio content along the loop.
Cycling routes, wine and pilgrimage
At the foot of the Chřiby Mountains, Velehrad is a hub for cycle paths and cycling routes. The Velehrad Tourist Centre has cycling facilities with tools and some spare parts. Sport scooters are also available to rent there. This gives you practical support for planning a cycling trip locally; the rental offer is for sport scooters.
The vineyards and winegrowers of Velehrad are part of the Slovácko wine region. Visitors can taste and buy wines from local winegrowers. If you want to include regional products in your travel plans, you will find wine here alongside the trails and cultural attractions, with a direct connection to the town’s winegrowers.
Tens of thousands of pilgrims gather in Velehrad for the annual pilgrimages. The “Dny lidà dobré vůle” is associated with these pilgrimages; the event aims to support a range of charitable projects. Alongside its architectural history and trails through the landscape, Velehrad therefore also has a living religious tradition linked to an explicitly charitable purpose.
Discover more destinations: KošĂky, Částkov, Jankovice, Sušice, PodolĂ, Zlechov, OstroĹľská Nová Ves, KvÄ›tná
For the broader travel overview: Uherské Hradiště District.
