Velatice: Nature, local history and Anenské hody

Velatice offers several ways to enjoy a stay: natural monuments with steppe vegetation, a cycling route along the old Imperial Road, the Chapel of St. Anne and the traditional Anenské hody festival. An archaeological term is also associated with the town. If you are looking for a hotel in Velatice, these themes can help you choose what to focus on: nature, activity or local history.

Natural monuments and habitats

Vinohrady was first designated a natural monument on 29 October 1981. The protected area preserves heat-loving steppe communities on rock formations of Culm conglomerate, along with the protected plant and animal species associated with them. The combination of the underlying rock, habitat and protected species defines the character of this natural monument.

The Velatická slepencová stráň natural monument also protects heat-loving steppe communities on Culm conglomerate. Rare flowering plants found there include the large-flowered pasque flower, dwarf iris and Illyrian buttercup. Both natural monuments thus focus on heat-loving steppe vegetation and Culm conglomerate. The three plant names add a further botanical dimension to Velatická slepencová stráň.

A small pond was created in the Roketnice floodplain and was quickly colonized by amphibians. This makes the man-made body of water another distinct local landscape feature, alongside the natural monuments.

Cycling route and directions

Vinohrady can be reached via a field path that forms part of a cycling route. This is a useful point of reference when planning your route to the natural monument. The Podolí u Brna–Velatice–Tvarožná cycling route follows the old Imperial Road. Its name lists the places along the route, while the historic road alignment also connects it with local history.

The usage rules dated 30 June 2022 list pedestrians, cyclists, inline skaters, scooter and roller-ski users, people with prams, wheelchair users and electric bicycle users as permitted groups. If you are planning to use the cycling route, check the current usage information before setting out.

Chapel, festival and local history

The Chapel of St. Anne was created by converting an original bell tower and was consecrated in 1909. It was restored, extended and reconsecrated in 1998. The chronology shows two distinct phases of construction: the conversion into a chapel was followed decades later by an extension and a new consecration. This places the building’s history in context beyond its original transformation.

Anenské hody is traditionally held in Velatice. The programme for Sunday, 26 July 2026, included a pilgrimage Mass at 7:45 a.m. in the Chapel of St. Anne. As programme details vary from year to year, check the announced dates for any future trip.

A cremation grave find in Velatice prompted the coining of the archaeological term Velatice culture. This archaeological connection adds another dimension to the town’s history, alongside the chapel and Anenské hody, which represent its architectural and festival history. Another local sight is an old water mill.

In 2012, a rest area with wooden sculptures and a view of the pond was created in Velatice.

Discover more destinations: Kovalovice, Dolní Kounice, Heroltice, Ostrovačice, Žabčice, Maršov, Lukovany, Popovice

For the regional travel overview: Brno-Country District.