Janůvky: Mountain Valley, Cycling and Local History

Janůvky lies in a valley beneath wooded slopes and the peaks of the Svitavská vrchovina. This very small mountain village is southwest of Moravská Třebová and northwest of Jevíčko. The landscape and local history give the destination two distinct focal points: the wooded mountain valley and historical traces of lordship and livelihoods, as well as of schooling and religious ties.

History, Work and Community

Janůvky was founded during the period of German colonization. The first written mention dates the village to 1365; in that year, it belonged to the Třebová estate. In 1408, the lords of Kunštát granted Janůvky the right of reversion. The village’s early history can thus be traced through several aspects: its founding, its allegiance to an estate, and a specifically named right.

Historically, the population made a living from agriculture and wage weaving, among other things. A one-class public school is recorded for both 1880 and 1900. Janůvky belongs to the Křenov parish. Together, these connections offer insight into earlier living conditions beyond the history of the estate: they encompass livelihoods, local education and religious affiliation. The former school building now serves as the municipal office, linking its earlier use with a civic function.

A religious connection dating from 1904 is a fund association for a chapel dedicated to Saint Gotthard and the Seven Holy Plague Patrons. A former bell tower in Janůvky stood farther west beside a shaft where fire-resistant clay was mined. In 2013, a bell tower was built in the center to replace an earlier one, which had probably already been destroyed during the Second World War.

Valley, Forest and Former Resource Extraction

The Janůvecké čihadlo forest extends north of Janůvky. This named forest adds a specific point of reference to the landscape of the valley and its wooded slopes. The surrounding area also tells another side of the village’s history: from the mid-19th century until the beginning of the 20th century, lignite, fire-resistant clay and slate were mined around Janůvky. Alongside agriculture and wage weaving, resource extraction is therefore also part of the mountain village’s historical background.

Cycling around Janůvky

The cycling tour “Janůvky přes Peklo a Hřebeč” is listed. A route description published in 2010 also notes that the red-marked route between Janůvky and Rudná branches off from the more varied section of the Hřebečský hřbet. Check the route markings on site before relying on this older description.

For planning your trip, this gives you a clear choice: are you mainly interested in the history of a small village with dated milestones, or would you rather focus on cycling and mountain scenery?

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Kamenná Horka, Koclířov, Gruna, Staré Město, Lubná, Jevíčko, Koruna, Telecí

Go to the broader travel overview: Okres Svitavy.