Landscape
Ice Caves
The ice caves at Vranov nad Dyjí are located in one of the deep meanders of the river Dyje. The northern slope of the meander, under a distinct tectonic disorder manifested as a separating zone, faced the movement and dislocation of the rock masses and the formation of deep rock crevices, extensive block rubble and stone streams. A lot of pseudokarst caves were created as a result of sloping. The geomorphological situation and the convenient microclimate of the site create conditions for the occurrence of ice cave fillings and cavities in the sutures, which lasts until the late summer and also affects the local occurrence of cold-nosed species of plants and animals. Underground spaces are among the most important habitats of bats in Moravia.
Felicita’s Well at Vranov Chateau
We can get there when, before entering the Chateau, we descend to the right and on the way to Felicita’s Valley, where there is a classicist building hiding the spring.
Around 1806, in her favourite valley, Countess Felicita Mniszková had a classicist building raised with a spring serving to “give refreshment to tired pilgrims, and make her dear valley even prettier," as the inscription in the shield says. The Viennese sculptor Franz Zauner von Feldpaten is considered to be the author of the frieze with dancing nymphs.
Cendelín’s Well below Znojmo
The Well is located on the right bank of the river Dyje, below Kraví hora (mountain), in front of the pedestrian walkway. The well was known in the middle Ages, and perhaps its seriousness was due to the fact that the water in the Dyje was so polluted in the 16th century that it could not be used for drinking. The name says the spring was covered by a building (“cendl” used to be a female silk cloth). Until the first quarter of the 20th century, the old habit of cleaning the wells was maintained. The quality of the water was testified by the fact that it was used by Stella's Znojmo, a soda and lemonade producer. The habit of opening the well was restored in 2000 thanks to the Beautification Society.
Pivec’s Spring
The spring is located in the Gránice Valley, about a hundred meters behind the road heading for Hradiště, under the railway corridor. The original well lies considerably higher in the slope beyond the railway corridor. When the Prague - Vienna railway line was completed, the springs' outlet was moved under the foot of the embankment. In 1923, the site was modified and named after a well-deserved member of the Wizarding Society, Mr. Piwetz.
Samaritan at St. Hyppolit Fortification
Already for its location above the rocky ravine open into the valley of the Gránice creek, the Samaritan was considered an ancient cult place. Today's chapel above the spring originated around the end of the 19th century. The spring had been worshiped long before. According to a well-known legend, the wholehearted Samaritan used to live near the spring.
Sealsfield’s Stone
It is a viewing rock on the top of the rock wall above the Dyje Valley. There is a beautiful view of the Dyje Valley, the Bull Rock and the view of the King's Seat on the opposite bank of the Dyje. The view was named after writer Charles Sealsfield from the nearby village of Popice.
King’s Seat
The lookout tower with a view of the picturesque Dyje Valley. According to the legend, in 1683, King Jan III Sobieski of Poland was following his troops crossing the river Dyje as He pulled out to help Vienna besieged by the Turks. In 1892, a wooden pavilion was built at this site by the Znojmo Section of the Austrian Tourist Club and it served until the end of the World War I. In 1922, the Association of German Tourists in cooperation with the Czech Tourists Club established a new gazebo near the place of the original pavilion, as we know it now.
Viewing Platform of Hardegg
It offers an extraordinary view of the Dyje Valley and the town of Hardegg, which lies at the confluence of the Dyje River and the Fugnitz Stream. The original viewing gazebo from 1885 was called the Luigard viewing platform. Later it was devastated and completely destroyed. The gazebo was renovated by the Austrian Tourist Club and in 1990, as a gift, it was handed over to the Administration of Podyjí Protected Landscape Area. Under the viewing platform, there are distinctive rock amphitheatres with protected plant and animal species.
Angel Mill
Former Renaissance Mill in the valley of the Mašovice Creek, the last preserved mill on the territory of the Podyjí NP. The historical monument, remnants of sgraffito decoration were found on the walls, inside the original building elements (ceilings, plaster). Currently there are repairs of the building. It was preserved only because it lies in the Salamander Valley, not directly at the river Dyje, where, due to the border zone, all the buildings after 1949 were forcibly evicted and destroyed.
