Vidnava – Urban History, Wetlands and Cycle Paths

Vidnava between Urban History and Wetlands

Vidnava combines remarkable traces of urban history with a landscape shaped by bodies of water, ponds and marshy wet meadows. If you would like to combine culture and nature, you will find a variety of points of interest here: from the original square and historic churches to the Vidnavské mokřiny nature reserve and a cross-border circular trail.

Town Fortifications, the Square and Renaissance Architecture

The remains of Vidnava’s late-medieval town fortifications from the 15th and 16th centuries form the natural boundaries of the urban heritage zone. The original square preserves paving made of river cobbles as well as two columns with statues of saints. Another prominent historic building is the Renaissance chateau dating from the third quarter of the 16th century. The detached, single-storey building has two square corner towers; sgraffito is visible on them, discovered during restoration in 1971.

The Vidnava settlement exhibition is housed in the restored Bürgerhaus Dům partnerství at Sokolská 12 and is aimed primarily at tourists. Its themes range from history, geomorphology and zoology to a depiction of a black medieval kitchen. The exhibition is complemented by notable personalities from Vidnava and the surrounding area. This makes it possible to get to know the town not only through individual buildings, but also through its landscape and inhabitants.

Churches and Historic Details

The Church of St Catherine has a valuable portal dating from the 13th century. According to the date on a marble ashlar, its massive tower with battlements and loopholes was built in 1537 and reduced to 7.5 metres in height in 1883. The Church of St Francis of Assisi was built at the end of the 19th century as part of the ecclesiastical grammar school of the time. It invites visitors to pause and reflect in silence, as well as to contemplate the spiritual and cultural heritage of the place.

Vidnavské mokřiny and Paths through the Landscape

The Vidnavské mokřiny nature reserve was designated on 10 April 1996 by Order No. 96/ŽP/891 of the Jeseník District Office. Rare aquatic plants occur there, including round-leaved sundew. Bodies of water, ponds and marshy wet meadows invite visitors to go for walks, sit by the water, observe nature and fish.

For exploring the surrounding area, the Vidnavský okruh cycling route of the Rychlebské stezky is one of the documented options; it leads through the picturesque landscape of Vidnava. Another option is a 25-kilometre cross-border circular route from Vidnava via Kalkow and Otmuchów to Lake Otmuchów and back to Vidnava. This allows you to choose between a cycling route through the landscape and an explicitly cross-border circular route.

Further Places for Your Selection

If you would like to compare Vidnava with other destinations, you will find Vápenná, Horni Lipova, Skorosice, Hradec-Nová Ves, Žulová, Černá Voda, Rejvíz and Bílá Voda U Javorníka here.

To the higher-level travel overview: Okres Jeseník.