Spytihněv on the Morava River

Spytihněv between the Morava, history and water

Spytihněv combines a distinctive river landscape with an unusual wealth of cultural and leisure history. The Morava flows south of the village and has shaped life in the surrounding area for centuries. At the same time, a marked route of the Moravian Cycling Trail passes through the municipality: It follows the Morava and the Baťa Canal. This allows you to combine historical discoveries, a trip on the water and active days in Spytihněv without reducing the village to just one attraction.

Hradišťsko: fortified settlement by the river

The Hradišťsko archaeological site lies near Spytihněv. It preserves the remains of a fortified lowland settlement on the left bank between the bends of the Morava. The rampart is particularly striking: It is about 160 metres long, about 3 metres high and almost 20 metres wide at its base. Its construction followed an older tradition known from the period of Great Moravia.

The settlement history of the village also goes back a long way. The earlier settlement had been located near the fortified settlement since the 11th century. It may have been moved to the higher right bank of the Morava in the 13th or 14th century. If you are interested in early settlement forms and the development of a riverside village, Hradišťsko offers a concrete point of reference rather than a purely abstract historical narrative.

Church, festival tradition and Moravian culture

Another cultural point of interest is the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Spytihněv. It was completed in 1712 and consecrated in 1740 by Bishop Jakub Arnošt von Liechtenstein. Inside is an artistically valuable high altar painting by Ignác Raab. The church complements a visit to the archaeological site with a later chapter in the village’s history.

The annual cultural calendar includes Slovácké hody s právem. This festival takes place on the second Sunday in October. If you would like to combine your trip with an established tradition, this date is the specific cultural highlight in Spytihněv’s annual calendar.

Baťa Canal and boat excursions

In the area of the Spytihněv weir, the artificially constructed Baťa Canal branches off from the main course of the Morava with its first lock. The excursion boats Morava and Kordulka are based at the Na Rejdě landing stage. The Morava has capacity for 60 people, while the Kordulka can accommodate 11 people. Regular and chartered trips with bicycle transport are available.

During the season, the MORAVA excursion boat operates from the landing stages in Spytihněv, Napajedla, Uherské Hradiště and Uherský Ostroh and carries bicycles. At the Na Rejdě landing stage, you will also find the traditional Na Rejdě fishermen’s restaurant, an exhibition about the Baťa Canal, toilets, showers and other visitor facilities. You can also rent seven houseboats, motorboats with outboard engines and traditional canoes there. The range of options therefore extends from an organised boat trip to time on the water planned independently.

Swimming lake, fishing and activities on site

In the area around Spytihněv, there are bodies of water covering about 30 hectares that were created by gravel extraction and can be used for swimming in summer. They also offer opportunities for sport fishing from spring to autumn. At the Rekreační areál Skleníky, the swimming pool is open for a fee to both overnight guests and the general public. During the summer months from June to September, the facilities include a small paddling pool, a slide and a water jet.

Another activity at the Rekreační areál Skleníky is adventure mini-golf with several terrain obstacles. Clubs, balls and scorecards are lent out according to the bar’s opening hours. This adds an uncomplicated on-site activity to the historical and water-based outings.

Other places in the same travel area

If you would like to extend your search to other destinations, you will find Velký Ořechov, Napajedla, Ostrata, Ludkovice, Kaňovice, Podkopná Lhota, Zádveřice-Raková and Poteč here.

For the higher-level travel overview: Zlín District.