Pňovice – Village History and Landscapes along the Morava

Pňovice between the Morava Floodplain and the Village Square

Pňovice combines a flat agricultural landscape in the Morava valley floodplain with a remarkably rich local history. The village lies between the Hlavnice and Oskava streams. Part of the cadastral area extends into the Litovelské Pomoraví Protected Landscape Area, characterized by preserved floodplain forests and the meandering Morava River. Here, landscapes, water, and historical landmarks come together within a small area.

Church, Village Square, and Medieval Traces

The Neoclassical Church of Saint Wenceslas dominates Pňovice’s historic village square; it was built in 1771. A historic rectory dating from 1773 stands nearby. At the end of the village square, a restored statue of Saint John of Nepomuk from 1860 recalls the religious and civic history of the village.

The first surviving written mention of Pňovice dates from 1249 and refers to a medieval fortress, the seat of Vladik Oneš of Pňovice. In the 14th century, Pňovice belonged to the estate of the Lords of Sovinec. Jan Pňovský ze Sovince emerged from the branch founded in Pňovice and later became captain of the town of Litovel. Earlier settlement also dates back a long way: the area around Pňovice was already inhabited in the Neolithic period and during the Hallstatt period. Numerous archaeological finds from these and later periods are kept at the Vlastivědné muzeum in Olomouc.

Water, Crafts, and Local Events

Olšina Pond is used for fishing, recreation, and relaxation in nature; Rybáři Pňovice looks after the pond and its surroundings. The association also organizes fishing events and competitions for locals and visitors. On the Zlatonosná Oskava paddling route, paddlers in Pňovice travel through the reservoir area upstream of the power plant weir. Before the next low bridge, boaters must pull their boats ashore and carry them along the footpath below the power plant.

Special events also highlight different sides of the village. At the Oskava Cup Pňovice on May 26, 2018, teams of six competed in an event involving approximately 8 km of cycling on roads and field paths, approximately 2 km of rafting, and crossing the Oskava from one bank to the other. In 2020, the Oskava Cup was held for the fifth time. Historical events organized by the Kirri Historical Society focus on crafts such as rope-making, pouch-making, tablet weaving, lucet work, arrow-making, and historical cuisine.

The Pňovice brass band holds public rehearsals in Pňovice and neighboring municipalities during the summer. Its history began in 1875, when headmaster Josef Řehák assembled a small band of former military musicians. The 2023 Svatováclavské hody also featured a concert by Trio Moraviensis in the Church of Saint Wenceslas.

More Destinations for Your Research

If you would like to continue planning your trip beyond Pňovice: Velká Bystřice, Kocourovec, Mrsklesy, Řídeč, Bukovany, Liboš, Vilémov, Slatinice.

For the broader travel overview: Olomouc District.