Discover Křelov-Břuchotín: Forts, Churches and Cycle Routes

Křelov-Břuchotín is a destination for you if you would like to combine military history, sacred architecture and cycling. Between forts, churches, chapels and signposted cycle routes, a diverse local landscape emerges, featuring historical details and opportunities for shared discoveries.

Military History in Křelov

Fort XVII Křelov is a polygonal permanent fort built between 1851 and 1854. It is listed as an immovable cultural monument of the Czech Republic. Fort Křelov XVII houses the Museum of the Olomouc Fort Complex. Public guided tours are available, as are tours for groups that book in advance.

Fort XX in Křelov also offers a profound insight into the region’s history. It is one of 22 forts that Emperor Franz Joseph I had built around Olomouc in the mid-19th century. Despite military conflicts and the forces of nature, Fort XX has been preserved almost in its original condition. During the summer season, FortFest, a family festival, is also held on the grounds of Fort XVII.

Cycle Route and Open Spaces

Fort XX is located on regional cycle route 51A and just a few hundred metres from long-distance cycle route 4, the Moravian Route. This route runs from the Jeseníky Mountains to the borders with Slovakia and Austria. For your travel planning, Křelov-Břuchotín therefore offers a clear focus on historical destinations along existing cycle routes, without requiring you to limit your stay to a single type of excursion. This makes it possible to combine a themed cycling tour with a visit to a fort and a break in the open spaces.

The grounds of Fort XX include an adjacent public meadow with a stone circular fire pit and recreational areas. In the direction of Křelov, there is another 2.5-hectare meadow with an orchard where traditional fruit varieties are being restored. These landscape features complement the fortified architecture with open spaces.

Churches, Chapel and Local History

The church in Křelov was first mentioned in written records in 1279. A new Baroque church dedicated to Saint Giles was built from the ground up between 1719 and 1721. The present church dedicated to Saint Giles was built between 1991 and 1993 according to a design by the Polish architect Jerzy Pekala.

Another distinctive building is the Chapel of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. It stands freely, is not oriented, and has a rectangular ground plan, a right-angled termination and a gabled roof between triangular gables. According to the parish chronicle, its location is considered to be the place where the former parish church of Křelov probably stood. Behind the chapel stands the Křelov reconciliation cross at the intersection of Marie Kudeříkové and Večeřova Streets.

More Destinations in the Czech Republic

If you would like to discover more places from Křelov-Břuchotín: Bouzov, Tovéř, Tršice, Jívová, Měrotín, Paseka, Želechovice and Červenka.

To the higher-level travel overview: Olomouc District.