Olšová Vrata: Church, Airport and European Ground Squirrel

Olšová Vrata brings together architectural history, airport connections and a clearly defined nature conservation topic. The Church of St. Catherine stands in the town centre; the Gagarin Memorial stands in front of Karlovy Vary International Airport in Olšová Vrata. At the same time, Olšová Vrata is designated as a site of European importance for the European ground squirrel. Visitors choosing the town for a stay can focus on culture, nature or its airport connections. When looking for a holiday apartment, a good starting point is to consider the kind of experience you want: would you like to focus on the town’s history, are you interested in nature conservation, or would you like to include a sightseeing flight in your plans?

St. Catherine’s: a Late Gothic building with a Baroque detail

The Church of St. Catherine, with its adjoining cemetery, is in the town centre. It is believed to date back to 1246; originally, it was fortified. The church is Gothic. The adjoining cemetery and the church’s town-centre location add an immediate sense of place to its architectural appeal. The church is accessible during services.

Airport connections in Olšová Vrata

The Gagarin Memorial stands in front of Karlovy Vary International Airport in Olšová Vrata. Sightseeing flights to the surrounding area are available from the airport. If you would like to include a sightseeing flight in your plans, check the schedule and availability in advance. The present-day Vítkovka was built in 1932, at the same time as Karlovy Vary Airport. This offers a possible activity alongside a clear historical date. Golf Resort Karlovy Vary is located on the road near Olšová Vrata. The year 1932 directly links Vítkovka to the construction of the airport, while the church, believed to date back to 1246, takes you to a much earlier period. St. Catherine’s is in the town centre, whereas Golf Resort Karlovy Vary is on the road near Olšová Vrata. In terms of orientation, the church is in the town, while the resort is in the surrounding area.

Nature conservation and the European ground squirrel

The protected area of Olšová Vrata covers 46.1323 hectares and is designated as a site of European importance for the European ground squirrel. The beginnings of recolonisation can be observed in the Olšová Vrata–Airport and Vítkova hora campsite subareas. The geographical scope matters: the designation applies to the area, while the observation of initial recolonisation specifically concerns two subareas. This puts the nature conservation topic into precise context: the focus is on a particular animal species and its initial recolonisation of the named areas. For families, the European ground squirrel can be a tangible conversation starter if you would like to include nature conservation in your travel plans.

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