Olšany: Chapel, Jechovec and Cycling Tourism

Olšany is a destination where you can combine cycling tourism, a specific cultural site and a diverse natural environment. For families with different interests, the area can be divided into several clearly distinct themes: a heritage-listed chapel, protected trees, the Jechovec area, and the transport situation involving bus services and the road.

Chapel and Protected Trees

The cultural focal point of the area is the Chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Olšany. It bears the heritage protection identification number ÚSKP 17622/7-5047. The chapel stands as an independent cultural site alongside the area's natural attractions.

Among the protected natural features is the group of trees “Jilm drsný, Lípa a jilm u kapličky v Olšanech”. Particularly noteworthy is the protected large-leaved lime tree near the chapel. It is estimated to be 260 years old and 26 m tall; this estimate dates from 31 August 2009. The tree connects the immediate surroundings of the chapel with the landscape history of Olšany, without turning the two themes into a single excursion destination.

The chapel and the protected lime tree are located within the built-up area. Jechovec, by contrast, lies approximately 1 km southeast in spring and stream-valley alder woods; the cultural site and natural environment therefore also differ geographically.

Jechovec: Alder Woods and Wetlands

Jechovec lies in the cadastral area of Olšany u Telče, approximately 1 km southeast of the village, in spring and stream-valley alder woods on the Markvartická pahorkatina upland. The area covers 3.08 ha and was designated in 1982. Its natural distinctiveness lies in the streamside and spring-fed alder woodland communities of the Alnion incanae alliance; black alder (Alnus glutinosa) dominates the stand.

Jechovec also has its own seasonal character. In the spring aspect, spring snowflake (Leucojum vernum) predominates. The waterlogged depressions in the alder woods provide suitable breeding grounds for species such as the common toad (Bufo bufo), common frog (Rana temporaria) and Alpine newt (Triturus alpestris). Characteristic bird species include the wren (Troglodytes troglodytes), mistle thrush (Turdus viscivorus), European robin (Erithacus rubecula), Eurasian blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) and great spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos major). The annual cycle thus extends from spring snowflakes to amphibians in the waterlogged depressions and the characteristic bird species of the alder woodland.

Cycling Tourism and Getting There

Tourism in the Olšany area is primarily focused on cycling tourism. Cycling is therefore at the heart of tourism in the Olšany area for active days. For families with different age groups, it may be useful to assess the stay not only according to a single attraction, but to consider the cultural site, natural environment and desired activity level separately.

Olšany has public bus services; there is no railway in the village. Road I/23 from Dráchov to Brno also passes through the Olšany area.

To compare further destinations, you can also visit Volevčice, Dušejov, Batelov, Kněžice, Mysliboř, Sedlatice, Brzkov and Čížov.

For the higher-level travel overview: Jihlava District.