Karlovice: Hotels, Forest Trails, History and Traditions

Karlovice is a place where history is visible in chapels, crosses, monuments, and traditional customs. Forests and a marked network of trails complement this character. Historical names and specific trail connections thus stand side by side, without Karlovice being reduced to a single focus.

History and Culture

The existence of the medieval village of Pěnkov has been documented since 1368; Karlovice was established on its land parcels. The founding of Karlovice on the grounds of the former manorial farm of Pěnkov was decided on October 23, 1768, by Count Karel Vincenc Salm-Neuburg, who owned the Malenovice estate at the time.

A particularly significant religious site is the Chapel of Our Lady, Mother of Good Counsel, in Karlovice. Construction began in June 1903, and on July 17, 1904, the chapel was consecrated to the Virgin Mary, Mother of Good Counsel. The sisters Anežka, Barbora, and Františka Gorgoňovy were its principal benefactors and also commissioned the main image of the Virgin Mary in the chapel.

The village's memorial sites also reflect a variety of historical connections. A black memorial plaque on the Karlovice cross commemorating those who fell in the First World War honors Jan Mikeštík, who died in the anti-fascist resistance. In the upper part of Karlovice, known as Pěnkov, a sandstone cross stands on the left side of the road toward the farm. A stone monument to Karlovice's first mayor stands on the state road from the crossroads toward Svatá voda, on the right side in the first section of a bend. Another monument stands in the lower part of Karlovice behind the fire station and municipal office.

Nature and Tradition

Karlovice lies in the forests between Malenovice and Oldřichovice. At the edge of the Karlovice cadastral area, which borders the cadastral area of Oldřichovice, stands the notable Žižkův dub oak. According to local tradition, Hussites camped by this tree during the siege of Malenovice Castle.

The local tradition also includes Vodění medvěda, or the Bear Procession. This bear tradition has taken place in Karlovice for decades and is maintained by members of the volunteer fire brigade. Near Karlovice lies the pilgrimage site of Svatá voda–Malenovice, with a spring covered by a stone vault and a rock cave containing a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Marked Trails

The Stezky napajedelských emirátů marked trail network covers 70 km and connects Napajedla with Karlovice and other surrounding municipalities. The Stezky napajedelských emirátů are intended for hikers and mountain bikers. On the hiking trail from Napajedla via Svatá voda to Malenovice, Karlovice is marked at 8.7 km and Svatá voda at 10.1 km. The yellow-marked section of the Cyrilometodějská trail leads from the spring at Svatá voda to Karlovice.

Other Places

Other places in the same administrative unit are Jestrabi, Křekov, Slopné, Návojná, Drnovice U Valašských Klobouk, Jasenná, Vlčková, Nedašov.

For the higher-level travel overview: Zlín District.