Bohaté Málkovice reveals its history on several levels: in its old place name, historical seals and sacred structures. Two distinct landscape features lie nearby: Větrník hill, with its views, and the Větrníky protected area, with its special dry habitats. To understand the area, it is worth keeping the two names distinct. The village’s history, individual monuments and natural areas are thus different aspects of the place.

Local history and agricultural character

The historical record of Bohaté Málkovice dates back to 1307. In 1391, the entire village belonged to the Augustinian monastery. In 1920, the settlement was officially renamed from Německé to Bohaté. These dates mark different events: the earliest historical record, the village’s affiliation, and the later change to its name.

Bohaté Málkovice has always been a purely agricultural settlement, with very fertile soil and wealthy farmers. The village’s three known historical seals document this agricultural character. The history of the place can therefore be read not only through names and dates, but also through its historical symbols.

Wayside shrine, bell tower and crosses

The Zvonice na návsi, a local cultural and historical landmark, stands in the village square. West of Bohaté Málkovice, a late Baroque plastered masonry wayside shrine with a square ground plan stands on a hill. Its smooth, four-sided base tapers slightly towards the middle of the shaft. A narrow cornice separates the lantern from the shaft; rectangular niches with depictions of saints adorn all four sides. The structure is crowned by a gabled roof covered with fired tiles and a small Latin cross. The base, shaft and lantern form clearly distinct sections; the niches and cross define the design of the upper part.

Two crosses are also each associated with the village in their own way. The Svatý kříž near the municipal office was restored in 2008. The Stoletý kříž, by contrast, stands on the boundary between Bohaté Málkovice and the municipality of Kojátky. For the first, the restoration is part of the village’s history; for the second, its location on the municipal boundary is its defining feature.

Hill and nature area nearby

Větrník and Větrníky refer to different landscape features: Větrník is the hill west of Bohaté Málkovice, while Větrníky is the name of the protected nature area nearby. From Větrník hill, views open south towards the Pálava Hills, north towards Kopeček near Olomouc and east towards Hostýn. Visibility depends on the weather and conditions.

Větrníky preserves sub-Pannonian steppe grasslands, semi-natural dry grasslands and shrub communities on calcareous soils. Its species-rich xerothermic vegetation includes numerous rare and endangered Pontic-Pannonian species. The protected area also preserves habitats for rare and endangered animal species, as well as dry grassland and xerophilous shrub habitats. Its special features therefore range from the plant communities and their calcareous substrate to the habitats of animal species.

Another natural feature is found at Bařisko, in the vicinity of Bohaté Málkovice: the area includes a pond, a pool area and a wetland. The wet areas at Bařisko thus contrast with the calcareous dry grasslands of Větrníky. If you plan to visit Větrníky, check local access arrangements in advance.

Discover more destinations: Nížkovice, Hodějice, Rousínov, Lovčičky, Rostěnice-Zvonovice, Orlovice, Nové Sady, Ivanovice Na Hané

For the overview of the wider area: Vyškov District.