Retreat: Village History, Religious Art and Cycling Routes

Several themes come together for a trip to Retreat: religious art, village history, and cycling and hiking routes. If you’re looking for a hotel for your stay, deciding early what you want to focus on can help: would you like to explore the religious monuments and architecture, or are you mainly planning to cycle and hike? The different themes in the area offer concrete ideas to help you decide.

Landscape and views

Ústup lies in the northwest of the Jihomoravský kraj region, beneath the peaks of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands. The observation tower on Zelenkův kopec is about one kilometre north of Ústup and is seven metres high. It was built and opened in late 2006. From the tower, you can see the Žďárské vrchy and the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands; in good visibility, the view extends as far as the Jeseníky Mountains and the Orlické Mountains. Views of these two mountain ranges in the distance are therefore explicitly dependent on good visibility. If you plan to visit the tower, check access arrangements in advance.

Religious art and village history

The Boží muka in Ústup is a small, brick-built religious monument with stone reliefs. It dates from 1805. The reliefs depict the Great Calvary, the Nativity of Christ, the Last Judgment, the Baptism of Christ and the Holy Trinity. The date places the monument in its historical context; the five motifs give a concrete sense of its religious imagery.

The chapel in Ústup also has a religious connection: it was consecrated to the Holy Spirit in 2006. A sculpture of the Holy Spirit, created by the artist Karel Ševčík, is located on its side wall. Alongside the historic monument, the chapel’s consecration and a specific attributed work of art thus represent distinct aspects of religious art. A parish pilgrimage service is held in Ústup at Pentecost. If you want to make the service a fixed part of your plans, check the current times in advance.

The village’s history also has a connection to transport. The so-called Imperial Road between Moravia and Bohemia shaped Ústup’s history; during military operations, it was also important for transporting troops. Older farmhouses stand along the village green. Some houses feature characteristics of vernacular architecture, including log construction. Religious monuments and rural building styles thus represent different aspects of the village’s history.

Cycling and hiking

Cycling Route 5085 runs from Kunštát through Sulíkov, Ústup and Veselka, continuing to Trpín. Cycling Route 5088 runs from Olešnice through Ústup, where it connects with Route 5085. Ústup is therefore both part of Route 5085 and the place where Route 5088 from Olešnice joins it. The two numbered cycling routes can be distinguished for planning purposes by their described itineraries.

On foot, a red-marked hiking trail runs from Olešnice through Ústup to Křetín. A spur from this trail leads to nearby Špilberk, which is 654 metres high. In addition to the named places along the routes, hikers have another option: the spur to Špilberk. Cycling and hiking can therefore be considered separate activities, with different route details and trail connections.

Discover more destinations: Borotín, Lysice, Lazinov, Šebetov, Adamov U Brna, Vlkov, Černovice, Malá Roudka

For the broader travel overview: Okres Blansko.