Podvrší

Podvrší is a hill in the Moravian Karst near the village of Veselice, part of the Vavřinec municipality in South Moravia, best known for the lookout tower standing on its summit.

What will you see there?

The hill is topped by a 49-metre steel telecommunications tower, reached by a spiral metal staircase of 168 steps. The viewing platform sits at a height of 37 metres and opens onto the whole of the Moravian Karst Protected Landscape Area. On a clear day the view stretches much further: the cooling towers of the Dukovany nuclear power plant, roughly 52 km away, and the Pavlov Hills near Mikulov, about 57 km to the southeast, are both visible from the platform.

The current structure isn't the first tower on this spot. An earlier triangulation tower once stood here, used for surveying work, and was dismantled in 1947. The telecommunications tower visitors climb today was built in 2001 by the company Eurotel — construction took just three months.

How do you get to Podvrší?

The starting point is the car park by the Tourist Information Centre in Veselice. From there, a blue-marked hiking trail leads to the tower, walkable or cyclable in around 700 metres — short enough to fit into even a brief afternoon outing.

When should you visit?

The tower and surrounding area are open year-round, but the best days are the clearest ones, when the most distant landmarks — Dukovany, the Pavlov Hills — come into view. It's worth combining a visit with other stops in the Moravian Karst, since Podvrší sits right at the edge of the protected area and works well as a starting point for further hikes in the region.

Who is this attraction for?

The short approach and easy access make the Podvrší lookout tower a good fit both for families with children and for travellers after a quick viewpoint without committing to a full-day hike. The 168 steps are a moderate effort, manageable for almost anyone in average shape.

Frequently asked questions

How tall is the tower at Podvrší? The tower stands 49 metres tall, with the viewing platform itself at a height of 37 metres.

How many steps lead to the top? 168 steps on a spiral metal staircase lead up to the viewing platform.

What can you see from the viewing platform? The whole Moravian Karst area, and on clear days the Dukovany power plant cooling towers (about 52 km away) and the Pavlov Hills near Mikulov (about 57 km away).

How do you walk to the tower from Veselice? From the car park at the Tourist Information Centre, a blue-marked trail covers roughly 700 metres to the tower, on foot or by bike.