Staříč: Views, Nature and Mining History

Staříč combines church history, landscape experiences and an engaging mining history. For planning your trip, the town offers a variety of highlights: you can trace the development of the Church of the Finding of the Holy Cross, explore the Staříč–Okrouhlá educational trail, visit the lookout tower on Okrouhlá or learn about protected natural areas and mining in the region.

Church history spanning several periods

The Church of the Finding of the Holy Cross in Staříč already existed in the 16th century. Its tower was added in 1757, a chapel was added in 1852 and the first organs were installed there in 1896. The church complex is therefore one of the places where different construction phases of local history can be seen. The complex also includes a Baroque statue of Saint John of Nepomuk.

The church stands on the grounds of a former cemetery. The site is enclosed by a surrounding wall and a three-dimensional entrance gate. This historic setting complements the church building with another visible element of the town’s history.

Educational trail and views from Okrouhlá

The Staříč–Okrouhlá educational trail was created by ČSOP Onyx for the municipality of Staříč and comprises a total of 10 stations. Its topics include the present and history of the municipality, nature conservation, the view from Okrouhlá, life in the meadow, pond and forest ecosystems, and the relationship between people and the landscape. In this way, the trail combines historical and ecological topics with the landscape around Staříč.

The Okrouhlá lookout tower stands on the 378-metre-high Okrouhlá hill. Its viewing platform is 30 metres above the ground. In clear weather, the view extends as far as the Jeseníky and Javorový mountain ranges. Below the hill, there is a car park for 10 passenger cars serving the lookout tower; a further car park is available nearby the football pitch for bus travellers.

Mining as an underground and historical experience

The Cvičná štola Staříč is an artificially created underground mine and demonstration tunnel with a total of 200 metres of tunnel passages. The tunnels contain typical mining workplaces arranged technologically as they would be in a real mine. Visits are reserved for groups of 10 or more and are possible only by prior arrangement. This makes the site a clearly defined visitor experience that should be taken into account when planning your day.

The town’s industrial history is also documented: Construction of the Staříč mine began in 1962 as the construction of a coking coal mine. The ŠTOLA – HORNICKÝ SKANZEN facility was built as a training facility from 1980 to 1984 and opened to the public in 1993.

Kamenná Natural Monument

The Kamenná Natural Monument covers 2.83 hectares, was designated in 1990 and lies at an elevation of 329 to 354 metres. Kamenná u Staříče is located on the grounds of long-abandoned limestone quarries on the northeastern slope of the 385-metre-high Kamenná hill in Staříč. In the Frýdek-Místek District, Kamenná u Staříče is one of the small-area specially protected natural areas.

The animal and plant life documented there is particularly notable: the natural monument is home to thermophilous plants and animals, especially molluscs, beetles and true bugs. Some species occur there at their northernmost range in northeastern Moravia. Kamenná can be reached by suburban bus routes towards Fryčovice and Brušperk, as well as via parking areas by the primary school in Staříč and at the Staříč II mine.

Pump track for different riding styles

The Staříč pump track is located on the football pitch grounds below Okrouhlá. The asphalt circuit can be used by inline skaters, scooter riders and skateboarders. On the rollers and banked turns, speed is maintained by pumping rather than pedalling. This makes the facility clearly different from an ordinary straight riding surface and complements the town’s natural and historical attractions with a sporting activity.

Further destinations in this region include Pstruží, Kaňovice, Komorní Lhotka, Moravka, Frydek-Mistek, Třinec, Písek U Jablunkova and Frýdlant Nad Ostravicí.

For the higher-level travel overview: Frýdek-Místek District.