Bystročice – History, Traditions and Cycling

Bystročice combines a documented history with sacred architectural heritage, local food traditions and a clear connection to cycling. If you would like to combine culture and physical activity with your family, you will find several points of interest here – from historical traces to a cross-border cycling route of significance.

History and Sacred Architecture

The first surviving written mention of Bystročice dates from 1131. A particularly defining testament to the more recent history of the village is the Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius. It was built in 1858 after a chapel was destroyed in a fire in 1856.

The church is a rectangular single-nave building with a tower on the southern façade and a recessed segmental-arched termination on the north side. The church tower received a clock in 1887. For visitors interested in architecture, it is worth noting these clearly described architectural features, as well as the sequence of the fire, the rebuilding and the later addition.

The historical character of Bystročice also includes two statues: a statue of Saint Francis de Sales from 1858 and a statue of Saint John of Nepomuk from 1820. Together with the church, they provide concrete, dated points of reference in the village’s history.

Archaeology, Fruit Growing and Tvarůžky

Archaeological finds date the beginnings of settlement in the cadastral area of the present-day municipalities of Bystročice and Žerůvky back to the Neolithic period. In the 19th century, fruit growing expanded in the municipalities; a large part of the fruit was subsequently dried. This information complements the sacred and archaeological themes with an agricultural aspect of the region’s history.

The local food tradition has also been preserved: the production of homemade farm-style Tvarůžky continued in Bystročice despite strong competition from the surrounding municipalities until the period of the First Czechoslovak Republic. Travellers who enjoy combining historical specialities with regional foods will find an unusual insight here into everyday life in the past. The period in question also makes this speciality an example of how regional food traditions can continue to exist in local everyday life over a longer period.

Cycling between Bystročice and Nedvězí

Bystročický Poutníček is a recurring cycling event traditionally starting in Bystročice. In addition, a 1.8-kilometre cycle path runs through the region between Bystročice and Nedvězí. The cycle path forms part of the interregional cycle route No. 5 as well as EuroVelo 9, the Baltic–Adriatic route, known as the Jantarová stezka (Amber Route). This adds a clear connection to longer-distance cycling routes to the village’s history without describing the route using any further, unsubstantiated characteristics.

More Places for Your Travel Plans

If you would like to compare Bystročice with other places, you can also look at Strukov, Velký Týnec, Huzová, Mladějovice, Norberčany, Uničov, Dlouhá Loučka and Stepanov.

For the higher-level travel overview: Olomouc District.