Olšany (Šumperk District)

Olšany (Olleschau) is a municipality and village in Šumperk District in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 1,000 inhabitants.

Administrative parts
The village of Klášterec is an administrative part of Olšany.

Geography
Olšany is located about 8 km west of Šumperk and 49 km northwest of Olomouc. The municipal territory extends into three geomorphological regions: the western part lies in the Zábřeh Highlands, the middle part lies in the Mohelnice Depression, and a small part in the north lies in the Hanušovice Highlands. The highest point is at 601 m above sea level.

The village lies in the valley on the right bank of the Morava River. The Bušínský and Kamenný creeks flow through the municipality.

History
The first written mention of Olšany is from 1386, referring about a local landowner Bolík of Olšany. Klášterec was first mentioned in 1349.

A factory producing cigarette paper was established in 1862 and significantly changed the municipality's rural character. It also caused steep growth of population.

In 1980, Klášterec was joined to Olšany.

Economy
The cigarette paper factory is still in operation and is the main employer in Olšany. Its products are known under the brand Vážka.

Transport
The I/11 road leading from Šumperk to Červená Voda passes through the municipality.

Sport
There is a small ski resort with two ski lifts.

Sights
The main landmark is the Church of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary. It has a well presered Gothic core.

Notable people

 * Hans Nibel (1880–1934), German mechanical engineer