Discover Jestrabi: Village Culture and Cycling

Jestrabi (Czech: Jestřabí) combines a rural village character with traditional festivities and a cycling route towards Rokytnice. White brickwork on the chapel, a stone cross dating from 1906, and traditions associated with Carnival, Easter and the Assumption of Mary offer several ways to explore the village’s culture.

Jestrabi at a glance

• The forests in the cadastral area of Jestřabí are characterized by mixed stands of oak and hornbeam.
• The white brick chapel imitates the Neo-Romanesque style; there is also a stone cross dating from 1906 in the village square.
• Four original agricultural buildings from the 19th century, including barns, have been preserved; original houses shape the village’s appearance.
• During Carnival, there is a masked procession called “fašanky”; at Easter, the clapper tradition known as “tragačování” is passed on.
• An annual pilgrimage Mass is held at the chapel; the pilgrimage takes place on the nearest Sunday before or after August 15.
• Cyclists can take a turnoff from Popov to Jestřabí and continue towards Rokytnice.

The chapel and rural architectural heritage

The chapel is a rural place of worship built from white bricks and modeled on the Neo-Romanesque style. Neo-Romanesque refers to an imitation of the forms of Romanesque architecture and helps explain the building’s design. The chapel is dedicated to the Virgin Mary of Svatý Hostýn. It stands on the site of an old bell tower in the village square; the stone cross dating from 1906 is also located there. The dedication, the former location of the bell tower and the date provide distinct points of reference for local religious history.

The village’s appearance is also shaped by original houses belonging to the folk architecture of southern Wallachia. In addition, four original agricultural buildings from the 19th century, including barns, have been preserved. Alongside its religious architecture, the village thus has a rural architectural heritage comprising houses and farm buildings. Visitors interested in the village’s cultural character will find more than a single building to explore.

Local customs throughout the year

During Carnival, Jestřabí keeps up a masked procession known locally as “fašanky” and regarded as an old local tradition. At Easter, the clapper custom has its own name: “tragačování” is passed down from generation to generation using the so-called “tragači.” The customs differ both in form and in the time of year: the masked procession is distinct from the Easter tradition. An annual pilgrimage Mass at the chapel for the Assumption of Mary adds to this local calendar of festivities. For trip planning, this means several distinct cultural occasions rather than a single seasonal focus.

Forests, cycling and planning outings

The landscape, too, has a specific feature: mixed stands of oak and hornbeam characterize the forests in the cadastral area of Jestřabí. This woodland character adds a nature-related aspect to the village’s architecture. Cyclists can follow a named connection: a turnoff from Popov leads to Jestřabí, from where the ride can continue along the cycling route towards Rokytnice. Check the surface and signage before setting out.

For a wider range of outing ideas, the online map application for Valašské Klobucko lists dozens of specific tourist destinations, as well as walking and cycling trips. It shows routes through nature and to historical sites, monuments and traditions. This lets you consider different outing themes side by side, while the connection via Popov offers a specific cycling option towards Rokytnice.

If you are looking for a hotel in Jestrabi, start planning around the reason for your trip: if you are interested in culture, consider the local architectural heritage and customs throughout the year; for an active outing, the connection via Popov towards Rokytnice offers a specific cycling option. Take the surface and signage into account when planning your route.

Discover more destinations: Vizovice, Bratřejov, Štítná Nad Vláří-Popov, Zlin, Vysoké Pole, Haluzice, Zádveřice-Raková, Nedašov.

FAQ / Frequently asked questions about Jestrabi

When does the pilgrimage for the Assumption of Mary take place?

The pilgrimage Mass at the chapel is held annually on August 15. The pilgrimage itself takes place on the nearest Sunday before or after that date.

Back to the regional travel overview: Okres Zlín.