Velká Kraš is a municipality and village in Jeseník District in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 700 inhabitants.

Geography

Velká Kraš is located about 15 km north of Jeseník and 85 km north of Olomouc, on the border with Poland. It lies on the border between the Žulová Hilly Land and Vidnava Lowland. The highest point is the hill Smolný vrch at 404 m above sea level. The Vidnávka River flows through the municipality.

History

The first written mention of Velká Kraš is from 1256. During World War II, the German occupiers operated two forced labour subcamps of the Stalag VIII-B/344 prisoner-of-war camp in the village. Four POWs attempted to escape from one of the subcamps and were killed by the Germans, and then buried in nearby Vidnava. From 1973 to 1990, Velká Kraš was a part of Vidnava.

Demographics

Transport

Velká Kraš is located on the railway line Javorník–Lipová-lázně.

Sights

The most valuable monument is the Church of Saint Florian. It was built in the Neoclassical style. The construction was finished in 1799. The second church in Velká Kraš is the Church of the Virgin Mary, which dates from the beginning of the 19th century.

Twin towns – sister cities

Velká Kraš is twinned with: