Wandering around the Odra River

The Odra River invites you to wander around its unique nature full of forests, rocks and views of the silver surface of the river. It is also a place where you can visit the technical monuments of the area. The turbulent history of this part of Moravia can also be experienced. Most of the places are cycling routes.

One of the technical monuments is the 16th century Wesselsky water mill, where one can admire the full facilities of the mill and even stay in an environment that has its own unique charm. The embankment that brings water to the mill, which is almost three kilometres long, is impressive.

Another similar technical monument is hidden in the woods near Bernartice nad Odrou. This is the so-called forest mill, which has been preserved in its original form, including the equipment for grinding flour. One of the most picturesque views of the surrounding countryside is afforded by the Swedish Rock near Spálov. It is on a spot where game hunters observed the landscape as early as the Bronze Age. The wooden gazebo is a reminder of the watchtower that most likely stood here to protect the border of the Bohemian kingdom.

The area’s natural beauty can be seen, for example, in the protected area of the Meanders of the Old Odra, where the river has created many pools and old branches that provide a home for birds, amphibians and flowers.

The history of the area and, above all, its spiritual significance not only for Moravia, but for the whole of Europe and, in fact, the whole world, is told by the Museum of the Moravian Brethren in Suchdol nad Odrou. The site is a reminder of the post-Bílá hora era and how Suchdol nad Odrou became one of the places where the members of the Unity of the Brethren found protection and set out on their missionary pilgrimage to all corners of the world.

Along with the flow of the river, you can continue on to Studénka, where the Wagonmaker’s Museum is located, to see the technical monuments. A unique site on the banks of the Odra is the Landek Mining Museum in Ostrava.