Branka u Opavy: Valley, History and Leisure

Branka u Opavy lies in a valley of the Moravice, approximately 300 metres wide and running from north to south, between the foothills of the Nízký Jeseník. To the west, the Hanuše ridge, at 427 metres, forms the boundary of the valley; to the east lies the 376-metre-high Branecký kopec, also known as Branská hůrka. From the surroundings of Branka u Opavy, there are views across the fertile Opava Lowland; Praděd and the Jeseníky mountain range are visible on the western horizon.

Branka u Opavy was first mentioned in 1257, when the municipality was part of the Hradec estate. The chronicle of Branka u Opavy, begun in 1842 under the direction of Chaplain Jan Chovanec, is considered the oldest chronicle in the rural area around Opava. The first written mention of the mill in Branka dates from 1339.

The larger Chapel of the Holy Trinity, located in the centre of Branka u Opavy, was consecrated on 11 June 1843. Its new bell, named „Václav Jan“, has been rung since 15 October 1944. Also in the centre is a monument to the victims of the First World War, unveiled on 28 October 1923. The hourglass motif on the monument symbolises the transience of life. The older water mill is considered a sight worth seeing in and around Branka u Opavy.

The Branský Literature Festival is a literary and musical festival in Branka u Opavy. The eighth edition took place on Saturday, 8 June 2024, from 4 p.m. in the Pavilion of Czech-Polish Friendship. The Spolek pro děti ZŠ a MŠ Branka u Opavy association continues in the municipality a tradition of events for children that has existed for more than ten years. The open-air cinema in Branka u Opavy is a traditional film screening that attracts not only locals but also visitors from other places. On 15 June 2024, the traditionally described fourth edition of the „Pumpuj Branku“ race took place as part of Branka u Opavy Municipality Day.

The marked cycle route 6055 leads from Branka u Opavy via Chvalíkovice and Vršovice to Raduň and connects to Route 551 in Branka. Cycle route 551 from Opava to Hradec nad Moravicí also runs through Branka u Opavy; it is used by cyclists and inline skaters.

The Branka u Opavy pump track is a closed, purpose-built circuit with rollers and banked curves that can be ridden without pedalling. The Výletiště leisure area has children's play equipment and recreational facilities, as well as a covered wooden pavilion with seating. It also offers a way to charge electronic devices, a bicycle pump and an outdoor fire pit.

Other places: Hať, Brumovice, Kravaře, Mladecko, Chvalíkovice, Budišovice, Hradec Nad Moravicí, Svatoňovice.

For the higher-level travel overview: Opava District.