Olbramkostel: Nature Park, Trails and History

Olbramkostel lies on the southwestern edge of Jevišovka Nature Park and combines natural landscapes, historical traces and routes through the hilly landscape of the Jevišovická pahorkatina. The nature park has existed since 1992, covers 13,840 hectares and lies in the hilly terrain of the Jevišovická pahorkatina. Olbramkostel lies in the valley of the Plenkovický stream. For your trip planning, this creates a combination of nature park, local history and excursions leading from Olbramkostel in various directions.

Nature among ponds, forests and streams

A specific destination for exploring nature is the Čekal nature monument. The protected pond area lies about 1.3 kilometres north of Olbramkostel and covers 3.2 hectares. It was established to protect a population of fire-bellied toads (Bombina bombina) as well as other rare animal and plant species.

The location in the valley of the Plenkovický stream also shapes the character of Olbramkostel. The surrounding area features extensive forests and hiking trails suitable for walks and cycling trips. A blue-marked hiking trail runs through the village and connects it towards Jevišovice and Znojmo. This allows you to plan your stay around different types of landscape without losing the connection to the village.

Castle Ruins and Local History

Three kilometres west of Olbramkostel lie the ruins of Šenkenberk Castle, also known as Šimperk. They stand on a prominent rocky spur at an elevation of about 410 metres; the Plenkovický stream meanders around the rocky spur. Šenkenberk is considered one of the oldest noble foundations in Moravia and was probably built after 1240. The ruins therefore represent a historical landmark outside the village, while the church and chapels more closely define the village centre and its outskirts.

The Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary stands in the centre of Olbramkostel. It probably originated around the middle of the 13th century, during the transition from the Romanesque to the Gothic style. During reconstruction in 1719, a Baroque side chapel dedicated to Saint Isidore was built. The sacred character is complemented by a niche chapel near the cemetery and a statue of Saint John of Nepomuk standing behind the village on the road.

The village’s historical status is also documented: A document issued in Linz on 10 September 1538 elevated Olbramkostel to a market town and granted it the right to hold a weekly market and an annual fair. The Poklona, a Neoclassical niche chapel dating from around 1800, is also considered an important example of small-scale sacred architecture on the edge of the settlement.

Routes for Different Day Plans

If you would like to combine nature and culture during your stay, you can consider Olbramkostel a base for several types of excursions. The Jevišický okruh I cycling route follows the blue-marked hiking trail to Olbramkostel; from there, it continues along the green hiking trail to the Šimperk ruins.

Other Places in the Same Selection

For further orientation, you can also select Tvořihráz, Jiřice U Moravských Budějovic, Vracovice, Hrádek, Moravský Krumlov, Plaveč, Lechovice and Bantice.

For the higher-level travel overview: Okres Znojmo.