Strání: Sword Dance, Glass and the White Carpathians

Strání combines an extraordinary Shrovetide tradition with the glassmaking history of Květná and the landscape of the White Carpathians. For your travel planning, this offers a clear choice between cultural discoveries, craft history and trails through forests and meadows. The most distinctive feature is the “Pod šable” sword dance, which has been continuously maintained in Strání for more than 200 years.

A sword dance with its own tradition

The “Pod šable” sword dance is usually led by five men with wooden swords and a Gazda. The Gazda walks at the front carrying a wooden roasting spit. One of its characteristic elements is “vytínání”: under the pretext of an offense, a dancer is ritually struck. It is precisely this unusual form that makes the tradition interesting to visitors who want to discover living regional customs alongside the landscapes.

The famous sword dance is performed during Fašank in Strání. It is also part of an annual festival of Shrovetide traditions. The tradition of sword dances associated with Shrovetide processions in the Uherskobrodsko region has survived in only three municipalities, including Strání. The “Pod šable” dance has also preserved a comparatively unchanged song pattern. Strání therefore offers a cultural highlight that extends beyond a single festival date and is connected with a long local tradition.

Glassmaking in Strání–Květná

The Sklárna Květná 1794 glassworks is located in the Květná district. The museum presents the history and art of glassmaking; visitors can also observe traditional glassmaking techniques. Sklárna Květná 1794 is one of the oldest glassworks in the Czech Republic and was founded in 1794. For travelers who enjoy discovering culture through hands-on working processes, this visit complements the intangible tradition of the sword dance with a vivid example of craftsmanship.

If you plan a guided excursion at Sklárna Květná 1794, it must be reserved in advance, preferably at least one day beforehand. The tours take place exclusively in the morning, in Czech, and last approximately 45 minutes.

Trails to Velká Javořina

Velká Javořina lies near Strání on the Moravian-Slovak border. At 970 m, it is the highest mountain in the White Carpathians. The Javorina National Nature Reserve protects primeval deciduous forests in the Velká Javořina massif, especially species-rich beech forests and ravine forests. In the summit area, they have a primeval-forest character.

There are various starting points and trail sections for an excursion: hiking trails to Velká Javořina lead from Velká nad Veličkou and from Strání–Květná. The Květná Educational Trail runs through forests and meadows below Velká Javořina. The U Cicůrku spring, a mountain spring in the Květná district of Strání, is also located along this educational trail. It can be reached via the yellow-marked Květná Educational Trail. The return section of the tourist route from Strání–Květná follows the green trail markings through Javorinský prales.

Strání and Strání–Květná

The sword dance and Fašank take place in Strání, while the glassworks, educational trail and U Cicůrku spring are located in Strání–Květná. Hiking trails to Velká Javořina also lead from there.

Discover more places

If you would like to compare other places besides Strání, you can also explore Hradčovice, Suchá Loz, Pitín, Svárov, Bystřice Pod Lopeníkem, Částkov, Slavkov and Nedachlebice.

For the higher-level travel overview: Okres Uherské Hradiště.