Břest – Church History and Haná Landscape

Břest is a historic Slavic settlement first mentioned in 1131 in a charter issued by Olomouc Bishop Jindřich Zdík. The village thus combines a long settlement history with a landscape shaped by the Haná region and the surrounding watercourses.

Culture

The present-day school building in Břest was built in 1904 and is designated a cultural monument. The municipal building next to the school is listed as a cultural monument. The statue of Saint John of Nepomuk, dating from 1753, is also listed as a cultural monument. The cross in front of the church is likewise listed as a cultural monument, dates from the 18th century, and was restored in 1998.

The church in Břest was rebuilt in 1708 after a fire in 1679. During this restoration, a tower was added. The chapels were added in 1780; in 1879, the tower was raised and fitted with a clock. The name Břest derives from the elm tree, locally known as břístek, which used to be common in the surrounding area.

The Haná group from Břest is also part of the regional culture. Its members care for, sew, and repair their traditional costumes themselves. Since 2007, people wearing traditional costumes from Břest and the surrounding area have regularly taken part in the regional harvest festivals in Kroměříž.

Landscape

Břest lies on the edge of a broad floodplain and alluvial plain formed by the Morava, Malá Bečva, and Moštěnka watercourses. At the same time, the village is located in the Haná Lowland. This important agricultural region is known for its fertile soils, folk costumes, and folk customs.

The predominantly flat, agricultural surroundings of Břest offer views of the Hostýnské vrchy hills and Svatý Hostýn. To the south, the view extends toward the Chřiby Protected Landscape Area with the Brdo observation tower. A named group of trees bears the name “Lípy kolem kostela v Břestu” (“Lindens around the Church in Břest”): it consists of 16 small-leaved lime trees (Tilia cordata) growing around the Church of Saint James the Greater.

Sport

Sportcentrum Břest offers two bowling lanes and a large hall with artificial sports flooring. It is located in the village centre and can be reached from the Rajčuda sports complex or the village square through the library passageway.

Traditions

The harvest thanksgiving service in Břest is an annual tradition held on the second Sunday in September. Around 25 people wearing Haná traditional costumes bring agricultural produce to the altar. The Křtiny pilgrimage in Břest has a tradition dating back to 1793 and takes place regularly before the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Corpus Christi celebration includes a procession to the individual houses after Mass.

Getting There

Břest has bus and train connections; the D1 motorway is also nearby.

Further destinations: Pačlavice, Vítonice, Kvasice, Roštění, Němčice.

Back to the main travel overview: Kroměříž District.

More about the destination

Relevant information for planning your trip:

The sights of Brest, museums in Brest: travel planning and practical tips | poezdka.de, Berestje Archaeological Museum – Brest.