Terezské údolí

Terezské údolí (Terez Valley) is one of the most scenic corners of the Olomouc region – a narrow valley barely five kilometers long, carved by the small Šumice stream between the villages of Náměšť na Hané and Laškov, right on the border of the Olomouc and Prostějov districts. It is a place where nature, geology and history stretching back millennia all come together.

How did the valley form?

The Šumice stream cut its way through the first hills of the Zábřeh Highlands rising above the flat Haná plain, carving a deep, winding corridor that connects the two villages. The result is a varied landscape shifting from steep forested slopes to damp meadows and open, sun-warmed grassy banks within a very short stretch.

What does the nature reserve protect?

The most valuable parts of the valley are protected as the Terezské údolí Nature Reserve, which forms the core of a much larger Terezské údolí Nature Park, established in 1996 and covering the wider wooded area surrounding the stream. Thanks to this mosaic of habitats – heat-loving oak stands, oak-hornbeam woods, wet meadows and dry grasslands – the valley supports a large number of rare and endangered plant and animal species, making it one of the region's more significant natural areas.

Why is the site archaeologically important?

Terezské údolí is not only a natural landmark but also one of the more significant archaeological sites in the Olomouc region. It contains the prehistoric hillfort of Rmíz along with the remains of a medieval castle. Researchers pay particular attention to the hillfort's fortification, built with a stone front wall dated to the first third of the 4th millennium BC – according to some sources, the oldest stone defensive structure discovered so far in Central Europe. This finding gives the valley a significance that reaches well beyond its natural value alone.

What can visitors see along the way?

Walking through the valley, visitors encounter several distinct landscapes packed into a small area: dense woodland in the deepest sections, open clearings and meadows higher on the slopes, and spots where rock outcrops and traces of ancient fortifications hint at thousands of years of settlement history at this exact location. This blend of natural and archaeological value is why the valley is often described as a treasure trove of natural curiosities, legends and historical monuments.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Terezské údolí located? The valley lies in the Olomouc Region, between the villages of Náměšť na Hané and Laškov, on the border of the Olomouc and Prostějov districts.

How long is the valley? Terezské údolí stretches for just under five kilometers along the course of the Šumice stream.

What is the difference between the nature reserve and the nature park of the same name? The Terezské údolí Nature Reserve covers the most valuable, strictly protected parts of the valley, while the Terezské údolí Nature Park (established 1996) is a much larger forested area surrounding it, under a more relaxed protection regime.

What makes the site archaeologically remarkable? The Rmíz hillfort found here has a fortification with a stone front wall dating to the first third of the 4th millennium BC, cited as one of the oldest known stone defensive structures in Central Europe.

What natural habitats can be found here? The valley features heat-loving oak stands, oak-hornbeam woods, wet meadows and dry, sun-exposed grasslands, providing refuge for numerous endangered plant and animal species.