Protivanov – Church, Heritage and Landscape

Protivanov can be explored through its church and architectural history as well as its varied landscapes. The parish church, a crucifix and a niche chapel offer a different perspective from a protected valley, a sloping meadow or a named circular trail.

Church and Historic Buildings

The Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary was built in 1772 to replace the church that had burned down in 1771. The new building was therefore completed the year after the fire. The church can be visited by prior arrangement, which you should take into account when planning your trip.

The church houses a stone baptismal font as a historic memento. Two different aspects thus contribute to understanding the religious building: the dates tell the story of its construction, while the baptismal font is a surviving historic object.

A crucifix stands in Protivanov on the road to Boskovice: an iron cross on a painted stone pedestal. The Baroque pedestal dates from 1798; the cross itself is probably from a later period, and its maker is unknown. The date therefore refers to the pedestal, not the cross. The cross can only be dated tentatively.

A brick-built and plastered niche chapel from the 19th century stands in a field on the road from Protivanov towards Niva. The niche chapel adds a different type of structure to the picture than the church and crucifix. Its dating to the 19th century is broader than the specific dates 1772 and 1798; it also stands in a field on the road towards Niva.

Protected Area and Landscape

The Protivanov natural monument, which is also a Natura 2000 site, lies in the valley of the Protivanovský potok, about 0.5 km northwest of Protivanov. This natural feature is therefore defined by the stream valley and its location northwest of the town. U žlíbku offers a different kind of landscape.

U žlíbku is a sloping meadow in the Drahanská vrchovina at an elevation of 630 m, southwest of Protivanov. At Skály, by contrast, the focus is not on a single meadow: the Skály area is the highest point of the Drahanská vrchovina. A specific type of meadow and a broader statement about elevation thus represent different aspects of the landscape.

The Protivanovský Circuit runs along the forest edge to the Louky pod Skalkami natural monument and then returns to Protivanov. Unlike a single place or landscape feature, this description includes both a named destination and the return to town as part of the circular route. The forest edge, Louky pod Skalkami and the return to Protivanov provide clear orientation along the route.

The Protivanovský mlýn and its millrace are another historic point of interest. The historic building is being restored. As its restoration status may change, check before visiting if you are interested.

Discover more destinations: Hrochov, Vrbátky, Vitčice, Hruška, Ivaň, Suchdol, Víceměřice, Hrdibořice.

For the broader travel overview: Okres Prostějov.