Holiday apartment in Břest: History and Haná Traditions

Břest is a historic Slavic settlement first mentioned in 1131 in a deed issued by Olomouc Bishop Jindřich Zdík. The village lies on the edge of a broad floodplain and alluvial plain formed by the Morava, Malá Bečva and Moštěnka watercourses. At the same time, Břest is located in the Haná lowlands, an important agricultural region known for its fertile soils, folk costumes and traditional customs.

Culture and History

The school building in Břest was constructed in 1904 and is listed as a cultural monument. The municipal building, also listed as a cultural monument, is located next to the school. Other features of the village include the statue of Saint John of Nepomuk and the cross in front of the church. The statue dates from 1753 and is listed as a cultural monument. The cross in front of the church dates from the 18th century, is listed as a cultural monument and was restored in 1998.

The church in Břest also has a building history spanning several centuries. After a fire in 1679, it was restored in 1708 and expanded with a tower. The chapels were added in 1780. The tower was raised in 1879 and fitted with a tower clock.

The name Břest is derived from the elm tree, locally referred to as břístek, which used to be common in the surrounding area. Another named feature is the group of trees “Lípy kolem kostela v Břestu”. It consists of 16 small-leaved limes (Tilia cordata) growing around the Church of Saint James the Greater.

Landscape

The predominantly flat, agricultural surroundings of Břest offer views of the Hostýn Hills and Svatý Hostýn. To the south, the view extends to the Chřiby Protected Landscape Area and the Brdo lookout tower. Thus, the landscape around the village brings together the broad floodplain, the Haná lowlands and the wooded elevations of the wider surroundings.

Events and Traditions

The harvest thanksgiving service in Břest is an annual tradition held on the second Sunday in September. Around 25 people in Haná folk costumes bring agricultural produce to the altar. Since 2007, people in folk costumes from Břest and the surrounding area have regularly taken part in the regional harvest festivals in Kroměříž. The members of the Haná group from Břest maintain, sew and repair their costumes themselves.

Another religious tradition is the Křtinská pilgrimage, which dates back to 1793 in Břest and takes place regularly before the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. The Corpus Christi celebration includes a procession to the individual houses after Mass.

Sport and Village Centre

Sportcentrum Břest offers two bowling lanes and a large hall with artificial sports flooring. It is located in the village centre and can be reached from the Rajčuda sports complex or the village square through the library passageway.

Getting There

Břest has bus and rail connections; the D1 motorway is also nearby.

When viewing or comparing offers for Břest, you can take into account, among other things, the location, type of accommodation and occupancy, as well as the included services, price components, and booking and cancellation conditions listed on the respective page. The relevant fields are those displayed for each offer.

Other Places

Zástřizly, Chvalčov, Holešov, Roštín, Hoštice, Záříčí, Vítonice, Dřínov

For the higher-level travel overview: Kroměříž District.