The village of Vavřinec (876 residents) reaches right into the very heart of the Moravian Karst — in one of its local parts, Punkevní žleb, you’ll find the entrance to the Punkva Caves (Punkevní jeskyně) as well as Skalní Mlýn with the Moravian Karst Nature House. In another local part, Veselice, you’ll find the Podvrší lookout tower.
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Why visit
Administratively, Vavřinec is spread across five local parts that together cover a large section of the region’s centre — Vavřinec, Punkevní žleb, Veselice, Suchdol and Nové Dvory. It’s in Punkevní žleb that you’ll find the entrance to the Punkva Caves, from where a cable car runs up to the Macocha Abyss, plus Skalní Mlýn with the modern visitor centre of the Moravian Karst Nature House — the main starting point for most visitors to the region.
From Suchdol, which has retained its picturesque original village character, the Tereziánská Lime Tree Avenue leads to the ruins of Blansek Castle. In Veselice, meanwhile, the Moravian Karst Beekeeping Museum opened its doors in 2015.
Podvrší lookout tower
The local part of Veselice offers a wonderful view from the Podvrší lookout tower, which rises above the surrounding countryside — you’ll find full details in a separate article. The village was awarded the South Moravian Region’s Village of the Year title in 2011, in recognition of its active care for all its local parts and their balanced development.
A short distance from the village stands the memorial Vavřinec Lime Tree, see Memorial Trees of the Moravian Karst.
Frequently asked questions
Where exactly is the entrance to the Punkva Caves? It’s in the local part of Punkevní žleb, from where a tourist train and cable car also run towards the Macocha Abyss.
Can you walk from the Punkva Caves to Pustý žleb? Yes — following the green trail markers from either Suchdol or Punkevní žleb will take you to the junction at Pustý žleb.
Is the Beekeeping Museum open all year round? Opening hours are seasonal — please check directly with the museum for current times.
Part of the series A week in the Moravian Karst: a complete 7-day itinerary. More details: Punkva Caves, Podvrší lookout tower. Sources: brochure by the Association for Rural Development of the Moravian Karst (published with support from the Ministry for Regional Development of the Czech Republic). Village information may change over time — for the latest details, visit vavrinec.cz.
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