Discover Kostelany: Forests, Horseback Riding and History

Kostelany combines the forested landscape of the Chřiby Mountains with small historical discoveries and special experiences centred around horses. The village lies on the northeastern foothills of the Chřiby Mountains and is surrounded by forests on three sides. This gives Kostelany a distinctly natural character, while also offering points of interest for culture enthusiasts and families who want to make their stay varied.

Forests, Trails and Expansive Views

The Chřiby forests around Kostelany offer opportunities for walks and more demanding hikes. You can therefore plan your day according to your preferred level of activity: a short spell in nature can be included in your trip just as easily as a longer hike. The landscape is not limited to forest, either. From Kostelany, the open countryside to the northeast offers a view of Hostýn. This alternation between wooded areas and open terrain characterises the surroundings and creates different impressions as you explore the village.

When choosing accommodation, it is worth deciding in advance what the main focus of your trip will be. Those who primarily want to experience the Chřiby can plan around walks and hikes. Those who want to combine nature with regional history can also include the monuments and the Kolem Kostelan trail in their itinerary.

Horseback Riding Experiences for Different Age Groups

One distinctive aspect of Kostelany is Ranč Kostelany. It offers accompanied horseback rides into the countryside around the ranch with an experienced instructor. This provides a special way to experience the landscape not only on foot. Children aged 3 to 8 can receive instruction from an instructor in riding, as well as in grooming, saddling and leading horses. Families can use this to decide whether a horseback riding experience matches the interests of the children travelling with them, while other travellers can include the rides in their nature-focused plans.

Monuments with a Story of Their Own

One of the notable memorial sites is the sandstone reconciliation cross. It is considered the oldest surviving monument in Kostelany and probably dates from the first half of the 17th century. The cross stands in the forest below Kameňák, next to Klimešova studánka and above the Kudlovický potok stream. Its location connects the historical trace directly with the landscape, without implying a specific circular route or guaranteed accessibility.

In the upper part of Kostelany, a T. G. Masaryk monument stands in a small park. It was made and unveiled in 1938. Following its restoration, it was ceremonially unveiled again on 26 August 1945. The monument's history also includes the fact that residents of Kostelany preserved the damaged statue after the Nazis ordered its removal. Anyone interested in the history of the village and Czechoslovakia will find a tangible point of connection here, away from the major cities.

A Trail with an Unusual Historical Detail

The Kolem Kostelan trail begins at the bus stop in Kostelany. It passes a bridge belonging to the unfinished Baťa motorway, dating from around the turn of the 1930s and 1940s. This structure adds an infrastructural chapter to the village's natural and cultural themes. Together with the forests, the view of Hostýn, the reconciliation cross and the Masaryk monument, it makes for a visit in which landscape and history stand side by side.

More Places for Planning Your Trip

If you would like to compare Kostelany with other places in Czechia, here are the nearest destinations: Lutopecny, Bořenovice, Kvasice, Chropyně, Slavkov Pod Hostýnem, Roštění, Litenčice and Pačlavice.

For the higher-level travel overview: Kroměříž District.