Biskoupky lies on the left bank of the Jihlava in the Střední Pojihlaví Nature Park. The nature park is characterized by diverse landscapes, forests, rock formations and protected natural habitats. West of the village lies the Biskoupská hadcová steppe, while the village’s history is also connected with the poet Vítězslav Nezval, who was born here. These themes offer different possible focuses for a stay: nature and cultural history.
Landscape and Natural History
The Biskoupská hadcová steppe is a protected natural monument on serpentine rock slopes west of Biskoupky, above the left bank of the Jihlava. It was designated in 1979, covers 2.21 hectares and lies at an elevation of 228 to 270 metres. It is therefore a specific point of reference for the landscape around the village.
The steppe is home to numerous pasqueflowers and other endangered plant species. At Biskoupský kopec, thermophilous steppe grasslands with a population of the great pasque flower (Pulsatilla grandis), along with other specially protected and rare plant and animal species, are protected. The shallow soils there also support xerothermic grassland communities with scattered juniper bushes.
The geological history of the area is also evident around Biskoupky: fossil-bearing sedimentary outcrops from the Skryje-Týřovice Cambrian are exposed here. These geological features add another natural-history theme to the protected habitats.
Cultural History in Biskoupky and the Surrounding Area
A chapel stands on the village square, and a 17th-century reconciliation stone is also preserved in Biskoupky. Both are local landmarks that are quite distinct from the area’s landscape features.
Vítězslav Nezval was born in Biskoupky on May 26, 1900. He was a poet, writer and translator, a co-founder of Poetism and a leading figure in Czech Surrealism. His birthplace is a single-storey, two-winged building with a T-shaped floor plan. The long main wing has a hipped roof, while the shorter wing facing the courtyard has a gabled roof; the roofing is made of flat tiles. A memorial plaque featuring a bronze portrait of the poet is mounted on the eastern side facade.
Another historic landmark is the former one-classroom school building in Biskoupky. It was built in 1893 and used as a school until 1967. The Templštýn ruins are also nearby. The castle was founded at the end of the 13th century and was associated with the Knights Templar in the Middle Ages.
Hiking Trails, Cycling Route and Paddling
The surrounding area offers opportunities for hiking on a network of marked trails. The Templářská cycling route runs mostly along field and forest tracks or Class III roads. If you are comparing hiking and cycling, there are different points of reference: a network of marked hiking trails and the types of tracks and roads described for the cycling route.
The section of the Jihlava between the Mohelno Reservoir and Hrubšice is used for paddling. It can only be navigated when water is released from the reservoir. Check this condition before planning your paddling trip. Unlike the trail information for hiking and cycling, the water release is a specific planning requirement here.
When looking for a holiday apartment in Biskoupky, your travel interests can guide your choice: would you rather focus on natural and geological history, or on Nezval’s biography and local architectural history? If you plan to go paddling, your trip must also be timed to coincide with the water release.
Discover more destinations: Skalička, Kuřimské Jestřabí, Příbram Na Moravě, Oslavany, Jinačovice, Řícmanice, Bratčice, Újezd U Tišnova.
For the broader travel overview: Brno-Country District.
