Karlovice: Forest Landscape, Village History and Marked Trails

Forest Landscape and Village History in Karlovice

Karlovice lies in the forests between Malenovice and Oldřichovice. The village therefore combines a distinctive landscape with a history that began long before the present settlement: the medieval municipality of Pěnkov has been documented since 1368, and Karlovice was later established on its plots of land. The founding of Karlovice on the site of the former Pěnkov manor farm was decided on 23 October 1768 by Count Karel Vincenc Salm-Neuburg, who owned the Malenovice estate at the time.

When you explore the village on foot, you will encounter several reminders of this development. The Chapel of Our Lady, Mother of Good Counsel, was consecrated to the Virgin Mary, Mother of Good Counsel, on 17 July 1904; construction had begun in June 1903. Anežka, Barbora and Františka Gorgoňovy were the chapel's principal benefactors and also had its main image of the Virgin Mary made. A sandstone cross stands in the upper Pěnkov part of Karlovice, on the left side of the road towards the farm. Another monument is located in the lower part of the village, behind the fire station and municipal office.

A stone monument to the first mayor of Karlovice stands on the main road from the intersection towards Svatá voda, on the right-hand side in the first section of a bend. At the Karlovice Cross, a black memorial plaque commemorates those who fell in the First World War and honours Jan Mikeštík, who died in the anti-fascist resistance. On the edge of the Karlovice cadastral area, which borders the cadastral area of Oldřichovice, stands the notable Žižkův dub. According to local tradition, Hussites camped by this tree during the siege of Malenovice Castle.

Traditions, Pilgrimage Site and Trails

One of the village's living traditions is the bear tradition known as “Vodění medvěda”, which has taken place in Karlovice for decades. It is maintained by members of the volunteer fire brigade. In this way, a local tradition complements the historical traces, chapels and monuments that you can discover independently.

The pilgrimage site of Svatá voda–Malenovice is located nearby. There is a spring covered by a stone vault, as well as a rock cave with a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes. Svatá voda is also an important reference point for several marked trails. The yellow-marked section of the Cyril and Methodius Trail leads from the spring at Svatá voda to Karlovice. On the hiking trail from Napajedla via Svatá voda to Malenovice, Karlovice is marked at 8.7 km and Svatá voda at 10.1 km.

For longer active excursions, the marked Stezky napajedelských emirátů trail network is available. It covers 70 km and connects Napajedla with Karlovice and other surrounding municipalities. The trails are intended for hikers and mountain bikers. When looking for accommodation, you can therefore distinguish between whether you mainly want to experience the village's history with its chapel, crosses and monuments, or include marked routes in your days. Karlovice offers a specific local connection between forest landscape, tradition and regional trails.

For further research, you can compare not only Karlovice but also Napajedla (Napajedla), Racková (Racková), Biskupice (Biskupice), Rudimov (Rudimov), Nedašova Lhota (Nedašova Lhota), Horní Lhota (Horní Lhota), Komárov (Komárov) and Dobrkovice (Dobrkovice).

For the broader travel overview: Zlín District.