Drysice: Local History and Historic Traces

Drysice lies at the southeastern foot of the Drahanská vrchovina Highlands. Its local history spans from the first written mention in 1201 to the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary and the cooperative dairy. The ruins of Melice, about one kilometre west of the village, add a specific geographical point of reference.

Key facts about Drysice

• Location at the southeastern foot of the Drahanská vrchovina Highlands.
• First written mention: 1201, in connection with a donation by King Přemysl I.
• Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary: construction began at the end of 1887; consecrated on 25 October 1896.
• Statue of Saint Florian: erected in the village square in 1777.
• A Class I road from Brno towards Olomouc runs through Drysice.

Local history from the Middle Ages to the 18th century

The first written mention of Drysice dates from 1201. That year, King Přemysl I donated the village to the Cathedral Church of Saint Wenceslas in Olomouc. A later milestone came in 1750, when Coloredo, the Bishop of Olomouc, had a coaching inn built in Drysice. The two events represent different chapters in the village’s history—a royal donation in the Middle Ages and a building project in the 18th century.

The Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary and its bells

Construction of the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary began at the end of 1887; it was consecrated on 25 October 1896. The start of construction and the consecration are therefore two clearly distinct dates. The bells also give the church specific historical details: its tower holds three bells, dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, Saints Cyril and Methodius, and Saint Florian. Alongside the dates of its construction, these three named dedications are a key feature of the church.

Memorial sites and local history

The statue of Saint Florian, erected in 1777, stands in the village square. It commemorates major fires that severely damaged Drysice. Its location, date and dedication link the monument to a specific event in the village’s history and distinguish it from the church’s building history.

Another perspective on Drysice comes from its economic past. Founded in 1925, the cooperative dairy also supplied nearby communities, processed up to 2,000 litres of milk a day and produced award-winning cheese. Its daily output gives a tangible sense of the dairy’s scale, while its supply network extended beyond the village.

The revived Ostatky is also part of local tradition. It included a masked procession through the village and an evening celebration. These two elements give the tradition a concrete form: the procession was followed by a communal celebration in the evening.

Location and film connections

The southeastern foot of the Drahanská vrchovina Highlands is Drysice’s precise geographical setting. A Class I road from Brno towards Olomouc also runs through the village. Drysice can thus be described both by its position relative to the highlands and by the road route between the cities mentioned.

Film history offers another unusual connection to the village. The rock faces of the Drysice quarry appear in exterior shots in several Czech feature films: “Za humny je drak” by Radim Cvrček, from 1983, and “Strašidla z vikýře” by the same director, from 1988. Scenes for the Slovak children’s television series “Spadla z oblakov,” by Radim Cvrček, from 1978, were also filmed around the quarry. These examples therefore connect both feature films and a children’s television series with the quarry and its surroundings.

If you are considering an overnight stay in Drysice, the village’s history and its location by the highlands can help shape your travel plans.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Rousínov, Mouřínov, Nemotice, Křižanovice, Topolany, Otnice, Nevojice, Vážany Nad Litavou.

FAQ / Frequently asked questions about Drysice

Where are the ruins of Melice?

The ruins of Melice Castle lie about one kilometre west of Drysice, on a spur between Pustiměř and Drysice.

To the main travel overview: Okres Vyškov.