Ostrovánky – Stones, Chapels and Moravian Traditions

Stones, Hollow and Moravian Expanse

Ostrovánky combines a gently rolling landscape with unusually tangible traces of history and remembrance. The village lies on both sides of the road between Kyjov and Ždánice, in a hollow from which the hills above the village rise. From there, you can enjoy a view over Moravian Slovakia. The Sobůlský potok stream rises at the upper end of the village; below Kyjov, it flows into the Kyjovka.

Stonehenge Ostrovánky and the Alej vzpomínek

The most distinctive experience is Stonehenge Ostrovánky. The circular site consists of 16 sandstone menhirs from Dubenec near Jaroměř and has a diameter of 24 metres. The grounds are freely accessible without restrictions and free of charge. This makes it possible to include this special local attraction in your own sightseeing independently of a guided tour.

The 650-metre-long Alej vzpomínek also leads to a quieter subject. It was planted in 2017 as a memorial avenue for relatives who are no longer among the living. Its trees belong to 161 families from the area around Bukovany and carry the history of their ancestors. The avenue is located on the road between Bukovanský mlýn and Ostrovánky. An entrance gate to the Cesta českých panovníků rises above it; access to the small viewing platform is free of charge.

Chapels and Places of Remembrance

The Chapel of the Virgin Mary is the oldest building in Ostrovánky. It dates from 1882 and was built by the Sadílek couple from Ostrovánky. In 2004, it was declared a cultural monument. A second sacred site is the Chapel of Saint Wenceslas, which was built as a small church in 1929 and consecrated in 1931. Inside, there is a painting of Saint Wenceslas by Jano Köhler.

On the edge of Ostrovánky in the direction of Bukovany stands the Štěpán Novák Memorial. The inscription records that Štěpán Novák was born in Ostrovánky on 20 November 1898 and fell on the Italian front on 9 September 1917. Thus, religious buildings, personal remembrance and local history are found side by side within a short distance.

Living Local History and Tradition

Ostrovánky was first mentioned in written sources in 1141. Four archaeological sites have been discovered in the cadastral area. The traditional costume tradition of the northern Hanácko-slovácká region is also part of the area’s cultural character. The tradition of raising the maypole is maintained through gatherings of men’s and women’s choirs from the surrounding area, accompanied by cimbalom music. The traditional costume Saint Wenceslas fair is likewise part of the village’s inherited festival calendar.

The Kyjovská vinařská stezka provides another connection with the landscape: it leads from Bukovany via Ostrovánky to Nechvalín. In Ostrovánky, therefore, you encounter not only individual sights but also a sequence of landscape, regional culture, remembrance and historical heritage.

More Places in the Selection

If you would like to visit other places in addition to Ostrovánky, you can find Blatnice Pod Svatým Antonínkem, Mouchnice, Moravský Písek, Strážovice, Vnorovy, Vlkoš, Žeraviny and Kuželov here.

For the higher-level travel overview: Hodonín District.