Ideas for trips

Brno

The largest city in Moravia and the second largest in the Czech Republic. It lies at the confluence of the Svratka and Svitava rivers. The city has a castle and a well-preserved historical centre with a number of important historical monuments. Brno has its own typical panorama, with the slender vertical spires of the Petrov House and the castle at Špilberk.

Špilberk - castle

The most prominent landmark in Brno. The castle was established by Otakar II in the 13th century and was the residence of the Moravian margraves for more than seven hundred years. After reconstruction in the 18th century it became a massive Baroque fortress, later the most severe prison of the Austrian monarchy, a military barracks, a concentration camp (casemates), and finally a museum. In addition to the permanent exhibitions, it is also worth visiting the casemates, completed in 1742 under the rule of Marie Tereza.

Veveří - castle, Brno Dam

One of the largest castle complexes in Moravia, it was established at the turn of the 12th and 13th centuries as a hunting castle, and later became an aristocratic seat. After the Second World War the castle was sadly misused, and has been under reconstruction since the end of the 20th century. Freely accessible, tours available. Nearby there is Brno Dam, which was built in 1936 - 1940 in order to regulate the flow of the Svratka and Svitava rivers to prevent flooding. In June fireworks are let off from the surface of the reservoir as part of the Ignis Brunensis event.

Tugendhat Villa

This functionalist building dating from 1928 is on the UNESCO world heritage list. It is a unique work by the German architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, to whom the Permanent Exhibition is devoted. It is best known for the glazed main living area and its winter garden.

around Brno

Moravian Karst – natural monument

The Moravian Karst was declared a protected landscape area in 1956. The most attractive part for tourists is the northern part, with its cave system which is approximately 17 km long. Four caves are open to the public: Punkva Cave, Sloupsko – šošůvská Cave, Balcarka Cave, and Kateřinská Cave.
The exceptional Macocha Gorge is worthy of note.

New Castle – cultural monument (approx. 4 km from Adamov)

The New Castle was built after 1470, when the original Old Castle from the end of the 14th century was destroyed by the army of Matyáš Korvín. The New Castle repelled all raids against it until 1645, when it was conquered by the Swedes. In the 18th century the tower was built and in the 19th century the Lichtensteins converted the castle to a hunting lodge; a hundred years later it was partially rebuilt in the Romance style.

Wooden chapel – architectural monument in Blansko

This is the oldest chapel in the “Lemkovsky” style in Bohemia. It is now used by the Church.

Babí Quarry – viewpoint at Lelekovice

Hill, 521 m above sea-level. It is a popular tourist destination, offers a beautiful view across the picturesque surroundings, with the skyline of Brno in the distance. In the 19th century there were two lookout points at Babí Quarry, although these disappeared during the Second World War. The grand opening of the restored viewpoint took place in 1961. Freely accessible.

Cave of the Blanice Knights

This man-made underground area is situated some 1.5 km to the north of Kunštát. The interior features statues of legionaries, the Blanice Knights, a statue of St. Wenceslas on his horse, a statue of a lion by the entrance, and a 14 m-high statue of T.G. Masaryk, only art of which was preserved after the occupation.

Kunštát

Kunštát was established in 1280, and nowadays attracts tourists to take a tour of the chateau, which was originally a Romance castle from the 13th century. The complex of chateau buildings is surrounded by a park, which contains the oldest preserved dog cemetery in Europe. Nearby there is the Burian Viewpoint on Milenka Hill.

Lysice

The first written mention of this community dates back to 1308. It is worth visiting the local chateau from the early 17th century. There is an exhibition of Bohemian glass, collections of oriental works of art, an armoury with weapons, a library, and a collection of hand-painted shooting targets. Visits can stroll around the adjacent gardens and the orangery. Other monuments include the Church of St. Peter and S. Paul and the nearby ruins of Rychvald Castle, which are open to the public.

Boskovice

Boskovice, established in the 13th century, attracts visitors to take a tour of the remnants of the castle, the Empire-style chateau, and the museum in the Boskovice Residence.
The Jewish Town is accessible to the public and is the third largest Jewish cemetery in the country. The history of the Jewish Town is explained in an exhibition in the Synagogue Maior.
Nature-lovers can visit the Šmelcovna arboretum. There are several other historical monuments, including the Parish Church of All Saints, the Evangelical Church, and the Town Hall.

Olšovec – pond

This pond is situated in Jedovnice. The reservoir is ideal for swimming, fishing, and water sports (rowing, surfing). At the beginning of September every year the International Motorboat Races are held here as part of the European Cup. Every October the fish are hauled in from Olšovec Pond.