Discover Olšová Vrata: Church, European Ground Squirrels and Airport

Olšová Vrata brings together a Gothic church in the village centre, a reserve for the European ground squirrel and Karlovy Vary International Airport near Olšová Vrata. The destination thus combines local history, nature conservation and aviation. There are also sightseeing flights in the surrounding area and a golf resort nearby. When planning your trip, therefore, the key question is not so much which single highlight to choose, but whether you are primarily interested in culture, nature or an activity in the area.

St. Catherine’s Church and Local History

Originally fortified, the Gothic Church of St. Catherine stands in the centre of the village, next to a cemetery. It was probably founded as early as 1246. This year refers to the probable founding of the church, not necessarily to the construction date of the present church building. The church, cemetery and central location make St. Catherine’s a tangible point of reference if you are interested in the history of Olšová Vrata. The church is accessible during services, so plan your visit around these times.

European Ground Squirrel Reserve

The Olšová Vrata reserve covers 46.1323 hectares and is a European protected area for the European ground squirrel. Early signs of recolonisation can be observed in the Olšová Vrata–Airport and Vítkova hora Campsite sections. For nature enthusiasts, the subject is therefore not only the protected species, but also a specific development in two named sections. The area figure describes the size of the reserve; the recolonisation observation relates to these two locations.

Airport, Monument and Sightseeing Flights

The Gagarin Monument stands in front of Karlovy Vary International Airport in Olšová Vrata. Sightseeing flights over the surrounding area are available from the airport near Olšová Vrata. This means that the airport offers both a named landmark and a possible activity. Today’s Vítkovka also forms part of the historical context: it was built in 1932, at the same time as Karlovy Vary Airport. The dates refer to different events: 1246 to the presumed founding of the church, and 1932 to the construction of today’s Vítkovka alongside the airport.

The Karlovy Vary Golf Resort is also nearby, on the road by Olšová Vrata. This adds other leisure interests to the church, reserve and airport. Sightseeing flights and golf offer different options for planning your trip; the golf resort is nearby, while the church is located in the village centre.

Nature, Culture and Choosing Your Accommodation

When choosing a hotel, it is best to base your search on your personal priorities. St. Catherine’s is associated with the village centre; sightseeing flights take place at the airport near Olšová Vrata, and the golf resort is nearby. This takes into account that the places mentioned are not all in the same geographical setting, helping you choose a base that suits your interest in local history, nature or leisure activities.

Discover more destinations: Cihelny, Tasovice, Doubi.

View the main travel guide: Karlovy Vary.