Travičná rozhledna

Travičná observation tower rises just south of the village of Tvarožná Lhota, in the Hodonín district of South Moravia, right on the edge of the Bílé Karpaty (White Carpathians) Protected Landscape Area. It holds the distinction of being the very first lookout tower built within this protected area, and its slim silhouette can be spotted from far across the surrounding vineyards and orchards of the Moravian-Slovak wine country.

Why was the tower built?

Travičná did not start out as a tourist attraction. It was originally erected in 2000 as a transmission mast for mobile phone operators. Only a year later, on 29 April 2001, it was officially opened to visitors as a lookout point, combining a working telecommunications mast with a public viewing platform — a solution used on several newer towers across Moravia.

How many steps does it take to reach the top?

The full structure stands 52.6 metres tall, though visitors do not climb all the way to the very top. The public viewing platform sits at a height of 33.6 metres, reached by climbing 177 steps. The ascent calls for reasonable fitness but is far from extreme; most visitors manage it comfortably, pausing briefly along the way if needed.

What can you see from the viewing platform?

The panorama from Travičná is one of the widest in the region. Looking southwest, past Hodonín, the view stretches toward the ridges of Pálava. Turning northwest, the eye follows the long rampart of the Ždánice Forest and the Chřiby range, where the well-known Buchlov Castle and its neighbouring Chapel of St Barbara come into view. From the platform you can also make out the Bílé Karpaty range itself, the fishponds near Ostrožská Nová Ves, the Hostýn Hills, and, on a clear day, a sliver of Austrian territory. The combination makes the tower popular both with landscape lovers and with photographers chasing panoramas that stretch for dozens of kilometres.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

At the foot of the tower stands a salaš — a traditional shepherd's homestead that today functions as an ecological education centre and a museum of folk architecture. It houses a permanent exhibition on the nature and culture of the Bílé Karpaty Protected Landscape Area, making a visit to Travičná a good excuse to pair the climb with something educational. The surrounding countryside is typical of the Moravian-Slovak wine borderland, criss-crossed by paths through vineyards and orchards that make it easy to reach the tower on foot or by bike from nearby villages.

Frequently asked questions

How tall is the Travičná tower? The structure is 52.6 metres tall overall, with the public viewing platform positioned at 33.6 metres above ground.

How many steps lead to the viewing platform? Visitors climb 177 steps to reach the platform.

When was the tower opened to the public? It was built in 2000 as a telecommunications mast and opened as a tourist lookout on 29 April 2001.

What can be seen from the top? A panorama covering Pálava, the Ždánice Forest, the Chřiby range with Buchlov Castle, the Bílé Karpaty range itself, the fishponds near Ostrožská Nová Ves, the Hostýn Hills, and, in clear weather, Austria.