Hrabyně combines a distinctive memorial site with religious and local history. At its centre is the National World War II Memorial, regarded as the central memorial of its kind in the Czech Republic. As a result, the remembrance of the events of the 20th century meets older evidence of the area's history here.
Culture and History
At the National World War II Memorial, the exhibition “Těžká léta 1938–1945” guides visitors through military and political events. At the same time, it focuses on the lives of the civilian population, as well as on culture and the economy. The years 1938–1945 define the period covered by the exhibition and place the topics mentioned in their historical context. The focus on military and political developments is thus explicitly supplemented by the perspective of civilian life and by cultural and economic contexts. The site also includes a symbolic cemetery with 13,000 plaques bearing the names of those who fell.
The visitor centre of the National World War II Memorial is fully accessible.
Church and Local History
In the centre of Hrabyně stands the pilgrimage Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. The Baroque church was completed around 1730 and consecrated in 1761. Thus, alongside the remembrance culture of the 20th century, Hrabyně also reveals older religious and architectural connections. The pilgrimage church is also linked to a specific date in the history of the village: its completion is dated to around 1730, while its consecration took place in 1761. The two years therefore indicate different historical milestones: one the completion and the other the consecration.
Another named feature is the statue of Saint John of Nepomuk in Hrabyňská alej. It was erected in 1777. The Zámecká míčovna, also known as the Belvedere and, because of its later use, as the sýpka, is another part of the area's historical context. It is the only surviving structure of the Hrabyně château complex. Its significance lies in its original function, its age, and its links to the history of the municipality and the Opava region. The church, the statue, and the Zámecká míčovna thus represent different aspects of the area's religious, architectural, and local past.
Nature and Views
From one of the two wedge-shaped sections of the National World War II Memorial, visibility permitting, the view extends as far as Praděd, Lysá hora, and Poland. The panorama therefore connects the specific structure of the memorial with named destinations in the wider surroundings and with a view across the border to Poland.
Cycling and Pilgrimage
Thanks to its appealing natural surroundings and the National World War II Memorial, Hrabyně is a destination for cyclists from the wider area. Another established event is the traditional pilgrimage to Milostná Panna Maria, which takes place from 14 to 16 August 2026 on Hrabyňský kopec. In this way, Hrabyně brings together a historically shaped place, religious tradition, and a specific event in the annual calendar. The pilgrimage complements the permanently established sites and exhibitions with a religious occasion set for a specific date.
Other Places
Other places to explore include Dobroslavice, Závada, Kobeřice Ve Slezsku, Bratříkovice, Ludgeřovice, Chlebičov, Hlubočec and Vítkov.
