Strání

Strání
Municipality
Coat of arms
Strání
Coordinates: 48°54′14″N 17°41′47″E / 48.90389°N 17.69639°E / 48.90389; 17.69639Coordinates: 48°54′14″N 17°41′47″E / 48.90389°N 17.69639°E / 48.90389; 17.69639
Country	Czech Republic
Region	Zlín
District	Uherské Hradiště
Area
• Total	39.75 km2 (15.35 sq mi)
Elevation	418 m (1,371 ft)
Population (2006)
• Total	3,820
• Density	96/km2 (250/sq mi)
Postal code	687 65 to 687 66
Website	http://www.strani.cz/

Strání is a large village in the Uherské Hradiště District in the Zlín Region in southeastern Czech Republic, located directly on the border with Slovakia, approximately 26 kilometers southeast of Uherské Hradiště, 37 km south of Zlín, 12 km northwest of Moravské Lieskové, Slovakia, and 271 km southeast of Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. The village covers an area of 39.75 square kilometers and currently (2011) has a population of just under 4,000 people. Its sister city is Euratsfeld, Austria.

The village is accessible via regional Road 46 or national Road 54. It is most accessible by car, as there is no train service and buses from Uherské Hradiště and Uherský Brod run daily but infrequently. The closest international airport is in Žilina, (ILZ), 74 km to the northeast in Slovakia. Bratislava’s Štefánik International Airport (BTS) is 118 km away, while Vienna’s Schwechat International Airport (VIE) is 185 km distant.

Etymology

The Czech word strání translates into English as slopes, and the moniker is indicative of the fact that the village (418 meters above sea level) is nestled in a valley of the White Carpathian Mountains, surrounded by the mountains of Velká Javořina (970 meters- the tallest mountain in the White Carpathians), Malá Javořina (on the top of which still stands a Red Army watchtower), Nová Hora (551 meters) and Velký Lopeník (911 meters- the fourth tallest mountain in the range). Through Strání runs the Klanečnica, a tributary of the Váh river, but the village acquires most of its potable water from a brook fed by snow melting off of Velká Javořina.

The village

Strání is governed by a mayor (currently Ondřej Benešík), vice-mayor (Pavel Mimochodek) and a twelve-member council. The village has access to natural gas, and it has its own sewage system and water treatment plant, for which local citizens pay a small annual fee of about 53 crowns (CZK) . The village has a volunteer fire department but no police force. There is no bank in the village, but there is a Česká spořitelna (Czech language only) ATM (bankomat) in the village center next to the village hall. Strání is also home to two post offices, one in the village center and one in the neighborhood of Květná. There are a pre-school, kindergarten and primary school in the village, but no secondary school.

The center of the village, in more ways than one, is the Catholic Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. A full 95% of Stani citizens profess their adherence to the Catholic faith, but the villagers are not discriminatory towards those of other religious beliefs or lack there of. The church, besides offering weekly masses, hosts an annual Christmas concert which showcases local talent. There are other concerts throughout the year as well, featuring liturgical and non-liturgical music. Parson Jan Hrudík, the church priest, is very welcoming and accommodating to visitors. The parish church was first commissioned by Prince Wenceslas von Lichtenstein in 1748 and was built with material taken from the ruins of a fortress. But the original church was too small and the church belfry damaged by lightning, so the Lichtenstein church was ultimately demolished and replaced with a new, larger church, constructed in the Neo-Gothic style and consecrated in 1911. The existing church celebrates its centennial in September 2011. Furthermore, each year, on the closest weekend to September 14, the village celebrates the official Catholic Church holiday (hody) associated with the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

Nearby the church is Štrbákovec, a 19th century house that is now home to a small cultural museum and hosts informal cultural events, usually on Friday evenings. The house, which is a national historic landmark, is not often open to the public, but informal visits and tours can be arranged through the village hall. If you are looking to experience the true taste and feel of southern Moravian culture, an impromptu visit to Štrbákovec on a late Friday evening might yield positive results, replete with live folk music, free-flowing wine and slivovice, and typical Moravian snacks: assorted plates of cured meats, cheeses and fresh vegetables. Note, however, that Štrbákovec usually produces male-dominated gatherings.

Also near the church is Zámaček, a two-story château with vaulted ceilings throughout that was constructed in the late-16th century, expanded upon in the mid-17th century, renovated in the mid-19th century and renovated again in 2011. The Lichtensteins owned Zámaček from the 17th century until 1948 when the building was nationalized. Now Zámaček is village-owned and operated, and the current mayor, Ondřej Benešík, has made revitalizing Zámaček the focal point of his mayorship. Thanks largely to his efforts, Zámaček now contains a restaurant, bar and ballroom on the first floor, and conference rooms and 6 guest quarters on the second floor, making it an ideal location for wedding receptions or other celebratory events. The price to spend the night at Zámaček is 600 CZK per person, or 1,000 CZK per room.

If you want to stay in Strání and the rooms at Zámaček are all booked up, try the cozy cottage on the edge of Strani’s center, just about a 10 minute walk, or a short drive, from Zámaček. This beautiful cottage has a huge, fenced in yard and is surrounded by fields. In the distance you can admire the rolling hills of Strání as you sip coffee or local white wine on the back patio. The cottage, which faces a babbling brook with a small footbridge, contains 2 small apartments; each apartment has a larger room which is furnished as a dining room and kitchen combination, 1 bedroom and private bathrooms. The owner of this cottage also owns Bowling Magdalena (restaurant, bar and bowling alley) and you can reserve the cottage or make arrangements for a meal plan there. The price of staying at the cottage is currently 350 CZK per person, per night.

Industry

Central to the stability and future growth of Strání are the two largest employers in the village, the Květná Glass Works and the manufacturing company Santra. In 1794, the Lichtensteins, thanks to beech forests, high-quality glass sand and the close proximity of an important trade route to Hungary, chose Strání as the location of a glass works. Glass production began in the summer of 1795 and has been continuous since that time. In 1897 Květná was only the second glass factory in Europe to introduce etched glass production. Today, Květná produces only sodium potassium glass using traditional blowing and hand-shaping methods and ladle furnaces. It is world-renowned for its design glass and employees about 180 Stránaci. Santra, headquartered adjacent to Zámaček, manufactures a wide variety of park furnishings and storage solutions and employs about 50 locals.

Recreation

When Stránaci are not working, they are out enjoying everything that the village and its surroundings have to offer. Strání’s prime location in the White Carpathians makes it an ideal place for hiking, hunting, bike riding, mushroom hunting, berry gathering and cross country skiing. There are also two downhill ski slopes near by. Many nature trails lead away from the village, including one circuit in Květná that includes 9 equally dispersed information panels introducing visitors to the local environment. While out on the trails, be sure to look for the lousewort plant, one species of which is only found around Strání. Its name derives from an old superstition that these plants, when ingested, were responsible for lice infestations.

During the summer, you might go for a dip in the Rybník Žabka, a local pond surrounded by a recreational area and cottages for rent, one of which is managed by the local fire brigade. But you will have to share the pond with the seemingly ever-present fishermen, who cast their lines in hopes of landing one of the three species of fish that call the pond home: the pike-perch, the European perch and the Eurasian ruffe. Near the pond is a natural preserve that has avoided human intervention for the last century.

If not willing to brave the wilds of the pond or compete for space with the fishermen, you might instead visit the village outdoor public pool in Květná next to the glass works, with its full-service snack bar, changing rooms, beach volleyball court and slide. The pool is quite affordable, with entrance fees at just 60 CZK for adults and 30 CZK for children.

If you prefer activities on dry land, on the grounds of the primary school can be found a sports complex, including a playground, tennis courts and a football pitch. The school also hosts aerobics and zumba classes, and is home to a public library and information center, both of which are open weekdays to the public. The information center provides a wide range of brochures and sells books on the history, culture and environment of the region, as well as postcards. The library offers public internet access and printing services for all, and the library staff is extremely friendly and helpful.

If not the sporting type, Strání currently is home to 14 bars and restaurants, including the Zámaček bar and restaurant, Bowling Magdelena, Sklipek, Pizza Tryk, Typsport bar (where you can also bet on sporting events), Kvarna Na Huti, Crazy Bar and Supa. At these establishments you can partake in the local cuisine and libations. As far as food as concerned, while in Strání, be sure to try the local pancakes and pastries, fried cheese, fried mushrooms and cauliflower, soups, pork and chicken dishes, homemade klobasa and sausages, gnocchi and buckwheat dishes. Of course, the region is famous for its local white wines and distilled liquors (palinec), and Stránaci take great pride in the local brews, most of which are produced in nearby Uherské Brod: Janáček, Černa Hora and Lobkowicz. If not into Czech cuisine, a safe bet is Pizza Tryk, located just across the street from the church. The owner, Pavel, grows his own herbs and vegetables and cooks his pizzas in an imported Italian pizza oven. All in all, food is just a bit better in Strání, as it is often cooked with fresh ingredients produced directly in the village or nearby vicinity.

Festivals

Fašank

Any time is a good time to visit Strání, the unofficial center of the universe, but be sure to free your calendar for the Friday through Tuesday seven weeks before Easter (the long weekend proceeding the start of Catholic lent) so that you can attend the Fašank festival, Strání’s version of Mardi Gras or Carnival that celebrates “masopust,” a 5 day period of feasting and drinking that precedes Ash Wednesday and the start of 40 days of fasting. The weather is often cool, but this never dampens the spirits. International dance troupes parade through the streets on their way to the town square, playing traditional folk music and dressed in folk costumes from times gone by. They often stop along the way to perform dances unique to their respective countries. Strání, just as many other towns in Moravia, has a rich tradition of making and drinking Slivovice (distilled from plums), and when these troupes stop to dance the locals often rush out to greet them with bottles and shot glasses in hand. No matter how low the temperature may be, this liquid spirit will warm you and might even have you dancing like the locals. Once at the square, you will find many stands selling beverages, food and handmade items. Meaty snacks are popular, and you should be sure to try the pork “škvarky,” which in the U.S. South is known as cracklins. The entertainment continues as the Strání troupe takes center stage performing its genuine sword dance. Strání is world famous for its sword dance (pod šable- “under the wooden sword”), forms of which were documented first by Carl Rudczinsky (1784) and later by Leoš Janáček (1899 and 1906) and František Pospíšil (1911). This traditional dance, which takes place the day before the start of Catholic lent (Fat Tuesday), starts with singing and ends with a linked sword dance of five male dancers who perform simple clashes while passing over or under a single wooden sword. More singing insues, and then the dancers separate and dance with nearby females. The music of Fašank is Cimbalove hudba, a traditional folk music centered around the dulcimer (cimbal- a stringed instrument which looks like the inside of a piano) accompanied by violins, cellos and a contra bass, and is often accompanied by singing. The last act of Fašank, which takes place at the hall in Zámaček on Tuesday at midnight, is a mock funeral for the contra bass. The bass is carried around the hall while a funeral dirge is played, and then a faux-priest informs the audience that the bass died of a broken heart, the result of the bad deeds of locals. He then goes on to recount all of the bad and often humorous mistakes that the locals made during the previous year. All in all, music lovers, carnivores and alcohol drinkers will think they have discovered nirvana in Strání during Fašank, but there is something for everyone at the festival, and it is a festival suitable for all ages.

Pod Javorina

Another festival worth attending each year is the brass band festival Pod Javorina, which is usually held during the last weekend of August. Friday evening at Štrbákovec there is a gathering of folk music choirs from around the regions, some of which are accompanied by cimbalove muzika, a dulcimer and string ensemble. The choirs sing with vigor, grabbing a song by its horns and releasing it with full unrestrained voices, all done with wonderful tonality and precision. Hearing this music, it will come of no surprise to you that the great composer Antonín Dvořák used to visit Strání to pick up a few melodies to be incorporated into his later works. The weekend continues with an international and local array of brass bands, usually culminating on Sunday with a performance by the local favorites, Straňanka, the 2009 European Brass Band Champions. As usual, throughout this festival, vendors are on hand, selling food, drink, and handmade goods. Be on the lookout for the Moravian specialty burčak, a partially fermented, naturally sweet and bubbly wine that locals deem very healthy, as it is said to cleanse the body of impurities. In fact, some locals will tell you that however much blood you have (roughly 5 liters), that is how much burčak you should consume every year. It is not recommended, however, to attempt to consume the full annual prescription during Pod Javorina, for the festival is not as enjoyable if spent hugging a toilet, even if it is in one of Zámaček’s newly renovated bathrooms.

World War II reenactment

A third annual event worth attending in Strání is a World War II reenactment, usually held at the end of April or the beginning of May, commemorating a WWII battle that took place over a 13 day period in 1945, during which the Romanian Royal Army and Soviet Red Army teamed up to drive the German occupiers out of the town. The reenactment, which takes place largely between Zámaček and Štrbákovec, is complete with contemporary uniforms and weaponry and thousands of rounds of ammunition. Furthermore, the event is sometimes attended by Romanian and Russian dignitaries, as well as descendants of soldiers who actually fought in the battle.

History

As is probably clear by now, music and history are important aspects of Strání’s identity. Besides Dvořák, composer Leoš Janáček also found Strání to be inspiring, and he visited the village twice, once in 1899 and then again on 19 August 1906 to collect folk songs. Later on, he rewarded Strání by mentioning the village favorably in his opera, The Cunning Little Vixen.

Strání’s history is long and is, in itself, inspiring. It was an ancient mining area and an apparent settlement area of the Stone Age Corded Ware Culture (2900-2350 B.C.). Every once in the while, a Stone Age tool is found in the surrounding hills, prompting renewed enthusiasm among collectors. During the Middle Ages, Strání was on the so-called Hungarian Way. This road was used by Bohemian troops as they marched to attack the Turks and Tatars in Hungary. After the mid-13th century it became an important commercial link between Hungary and Czech lands. By 1359, Strání was listed as a town in official records. In 1483, tolls were collected in Strání for the upkeep of the commercial road, and by 1492 Strání included 44 houses and 2 mills. In 1502, John Bernard of Kunovice conquered the area, including Strání, and his family maintained dominion over Strání until the Battle of White Mountain in 1618, when the Bernardi lands were confiscated by the Emperor because the family supported the failed rebellion against him. In 1625, the Bernardi land holdings were sold to the Lichtenstein family, which, as previously mentioned, maintained ownership of Strání until 1945. Worthy of note, until 1943, there was a thriving Jewish community in Strání, but in that year the Nazis deported all known Jewish Stránaci to the Theresienstadt concentration camp (Terezín) and then to extermination camps to the east. Even so, several buildings in Strání are still architecturally ornamented with the Star of David. One such example can be found on the rear façade of Sklipek, a local bar, and can be viewed from the outdoor seating area.

On a further historical note, Strání is a mere 15 km north of a Slovakian castle that once belonged to Elizabeth Báthory, a 16th/17th century Hungarian countess. She became infamous for killing several young women because she allegedly thought that bathing in their blood would preserve her youth. Eventually, authorities discovered the murders and the countess was imprisoned in her castle, where she died four years later. Tours of the castle are possible and are even occasionally organized by the Strání library, and visiting the castle makes for a fun and interesting day trip from Strání.

In the end, whether interested in food and drink, culture, folk art and music, history, nature, sports or just a little rest and relaxation, Strání is certainly worth the visit. If you have further questions, please feel free to contact the Strání Information Center:

Infocentrum Strání - Květná Areál ZŠ Strání Rubanice 877 687 65 Strání tel., fax: +420 572 695 240

Cultural references

Janáček collecting folksongs on 19 August 1906 in Strání

In Leoš Janáček's opera The Cunning Little Vixen, the priest moves to Strání, expressing the hope that life will be better there. It is one of the only two place names mentioned in the opera (the other being Brno).^[16]

Notes

References

• Czech Statistical Office: Municipalities of Uherské Hradiště District

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Strání.