Discover Petráveč

Petráveč offers unusual discoveries within a compact thematic area: an artistically designed historic bridge, trails through the Nesměř Valley, a children’s educational trail with seven stations and a chapel with its own local history. Those wishing to combine a trip with culture, activity and child-friendly experiences will find several different points of interest here.

A bridge between architecture and transport history

The single-arch bridge “Petráveč, silniční most” stands at the centre of the local history. It was part of the old road connecting Jihlava and Brno. At the same time, it is considered an architecturally elaborate technical monument. It therefore tells not only of an earlier transport connection, but also shows how technical structures themselves can become remarkable historical testimonies.

For orientation today, an important detail should be noted: the “Petráveč, silniční most” bridge is now kept hidden on the grounds of a local waste disposal facility. It is therefore not described as an ordinary, freely accessible centre of the locality. Its particular appeal lies in the combination of its sophisticated design, its function on the old road and its unusual present-day location.

Local life and a special event day

The Petráveč oil mill is also one of the locality’s points of interest. On 15 August 2026, it hosted a farmers’ market open to the general public as part of the “Poznej svého farmáře” event series. For visitors, the oil mill is therefore remembered primarily as the venue for a public farmers’ market, not as an automatically operating visitor attraction.

Hiking in the Nesměř Valley

The starting point for the Nesměř Valley Circuit is at the turn-off from the road between Velké Meziříčí and Petráveč. The bridge over the Oslava near the wastewater treatment plant serves as a landmark; parking spaces for cars are available here. Those planning the route with different age groups should also take the surface into account: the Nesměř Valley Circuit runs predominantly along paved paths.

One specific exception concerns the section between Petráveč and Velké Meziříčí. This section can be bypassed via a paved road.

Travelling with children

Families looking for their own discovery along the Nesměř Valley can follow the Nesměř Valley children’s educational trail. Its access point is at the turn-off from the road between Velké Meziříčí and Petráveč, behind the former distillery, now POEX. The building’s former use thus remains part of the local orientation, while the current name POEX identifies the present-day reference point.

Most of the Nesměř Valley children’s educational trail runs along paved paths, so visitors can bring a pram. In terms of content, the trail comprises seven playful stations. This clearly distinguishes it from the longer Circuit: here, the individual stations and discovering things together with children take centre stage, while the Circuit is characterised primarily by its predominantly paved route and the described exception between Petráveč and Velké Meziříčí.

A quiet local landmark

The chapel in Petráveč is also part of the locality’s history. It is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and was built in 1914 in place of a bell tower. Together with the bridge, the oil mill and the trails, it creates a diverse picture of the locality: technical history, religious local history, public rural life and activity in the valley stand side by side, without Petráveč having to be reduced to just one type of experience.

Further places in the locality selection

If you would like to consider further destinations from the same locality selection alongside Petráveč, you can find Hodíškov, Rudolec, Velká Losenice, Sejřek, Křoví, Újezd, Osové and Věžná here.

For the higher-level travel overview: Žďár nad Sázavou District.