Odry, a small Czech town, has Renaissance houses, a 14th-century church bell, and remnants of medieval fortifications. Nearby, explore a slate mine or relax by Silver Lake.
Odry is a small town in the Moravian-Silesian Region of the Czech Republic. In its well-preserved historic center, you can explore Renaissance burgher houses on Masarykovo Square, see a 14th-century church bell at the Church of Saint Bartholomew, and visit remnants of 15th-century town fortifications. Just outside town, you can tour Flaschar's Slate Mine or relax by Silver Lake, a flooded former galena mine. Odry's location in the Nízký Jeseník range and along the Oder River offers opportunities for hiking and scenic views.
Historic Town Center
Odry's historic center is protected as an urban monument zone. Masarykovo Square forms the focal point, lined with Renaissance burgher houses that showcase the town's architectural past. In the middle of the square, you'll see the statue of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, dating back to 1785, and a Neoclassical fountain from 1897. These structures illustrate Odry's artistic and cultural development over the centuries.
Church of Saint Bartholomew
The Church of Saint Bartholomew is Odry's most significant monument. Originally built in the Gothic style, it underwent a Baroque transformation in 1691-1692. The church houses a bell from 1374, which is the oldest bell in Moravia. Next to the church, you can see the rectory, rebuilt to its current form in 1700, adding to the historical ensemble.
Town Fortifications
You can still see remnants of Odry's 15th-century town fortifications today. The preserved sections include a semi-circular bastion, showing aspects of the town's medieval defensive systems. These fortifications connect you to Odry's past and its strategic importance in the region.
Flaschar's Slate Mine
Opened to the public in 2020, Flaschar's slate mine allows you to explore underground. This former slate quarry operated at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries and is one of only two accessible slate mines in the Czech Republic. A visit to the mine reveals the area's industrial past and geological formations.
Silver Lake Nature Reserve
The Silver Lake (Stříbrné jezírko) nature reserve is a small but intriguing natural site near Odry. This flooded former galena mine, situated at an altitude of 460 meters above sea level, covers an area of 0.22 hectares. The lake's creation, due to the cessation of water pumping from the mine, has resulted in an interesting aquatic ecosystem.
Golf Resort Development
Golfers might be interested in the ongoing development of the Tosovice Golf Resort at the Heipark resort near Odry. When completed, this 18-hole golf facility will expand the recreational options in the area, complementing the existing year-round activities at Heipark, which include skiing facilities and a hotel.
Getting There and Around
You can reach Odry by train, as it's located on a railway line connecting Suchdol nad Odrou to Budišov nad Budišovkou. The town is situated about 14 kilometers northwest of Nový Jičín and 32 kilometers southwest of Ostrava, allowing for easy day trips to these larger cities. Within Odry, you can explore most sites on foot, given the compact nature of its historic center.
