Czech Republic - Towns

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Towns
CzechTourism
Vinohradská 46
120 41 Praha 2
+420 221 580 611
info@czechtourism.cz
Towns
1
2
3
4
5
A
7
8
9
Litoměřice
Jičín
Hradec
Králové
Karlovy
Vary
PRAHA
Cheb
Pardubice
Ostrava
Kutná Hora
Litomyšl
Plzeň
Nový
Jičín
Olomouc
D
10
Liberec
B
C
6
Domažlice
Tábor
Písek
Jindřichův
Hradec
E
České
Budějovice
Český
Krumlov
Štramberk
Jihlava
Telč
BRNO
Kroměříž
Třebíč
Slavonice
Třeboň
Znojmo
F
Brno
České Budějovice
Český Krumlov
Domažlice
Hradec Králové
Cheb
Jičín
Jihlava
E7
E4
F4
D2
C6
C1
B5
D6
Jindřichův Hradec
Karlovy Vary
Kroměříž
Kutná Hora
Liberec
Litoměřice
Litomyšl
Olomouc
E5
B2
E8
C5
A5
B3
C7
D8
Ostrava
Nový Jičín
Pardubice
Písek
Plzeň
Praha
Slavonice
Štramberk
C10
D9
C6
E3
D2
C4
E5
D9
Tábor
Telč
Třebíč
Třeboň
Znojmo
This sign denotes official certified accommodation facilities
This sign denotes official tourist information centres
Published by Dagmar Friedlaenderová for CzechTourism
Prague 2006
Text: © Jan Skřivánek
Translation: © Ludmila Pušová
Photos: CzechTourism archive, Pavel Frič, Jaroslav Jeřábek, Miroslav Krob & Jun.,
Roman Maleček, Luboš Stiburek
Printing: Petit Press
This project is financed partially by the European Union
The official tourist presentation of the Czech Republic
www.czechtourism.com
D4
E5
E6
E4
F6
From Town to Town
The Czech state boasts a history spanning over
one thousand years and Bohemia, Moravia and
Silesia, the three historical lands which form
what is now the Czech Republic, can each pride
themselves on a vast cultural heritage.
A genuine gem among large European cities,
Prague, the country’s capital city – an ancient
centre situated on the River Vltava – is considered by many to be one of the world’s most
beautiful cities. The economic and cultural
centre of the country, Prague is far from the
only attractive tourist destination to be found
in the Czech Republic.
This brochure is intended to introduce you to at
least some of the other Czech cities and towns
which are well worth visiting. It is neither an
exhaustive overview nor a full list of attractions
and historical monuments which they can offer
to their visitors. However, we hope that it will
inspire you to set out on a journey to discover
their many charms for yourself.
Cover page: St Barbara’s Church in Kutná Hora
  1. Třeboň – an aerial view
[1]
www.czechtourism.com
The Capital City and its
Surroundings
Although Prague undoubtedly deserves all the attention and
admiration it receives from visitors from all corners of the
world, its surroundings also offer a wealth of interesting historical monuments which are well worth checking out. The
most popular destinations here are the royal Karlštejn Castle
and the historical mining town of Kutná Hora.
[3]
[2]
[4]
[ PRAGUE ]
Prague owes its reputation as one of the most beautiful cities
in Europe to its unique location in the natural environment as
well as the over one thousand years of continuous architectural
development. The capital city of the Czech Republic is located
on several hilltops on both banks of the River Vltava, which
runs through the city from the south to the north.
An important trade junction since the early Middle Ages,
Prague has also been a place where scholars and artists from
all over the world have met. As each epoch has left its traces
in its streets, the city’s historical centre represents a spectacular gallery of all architectural styles, ranging from Gothic to
the modern-day.
Perched on a raised plateau on the left bank of the Vltava,
Prague Castle and St Vitus’ Cathedral form the most distinct
dominant features of the city. Today the castle grounds contain
the Office of the President of the Republic and a number of
cultural institutions. Also open to the general public are the
spaces of the former royal palace and castle gardens, all affording magnificent views of the city below.
  2. Prague Castle – an aerial view
www.prague-info.cz
e-mail: tourinfo@pis.cz
 +420 221 714 444, +420 124 44
  3. Lesser Quarter roofs with St Nicholas’ Church
  4. A detail of the Old Town Astronomical Clock
[5]
[ KUTNÁ HORA ]
Back in the Middle Ages, this town, located a
mere one hour’s ride from Prague, was called
the silver treasury of the Kingdom of Bohemia.
Thriving on silver mining, Kutná Hora was once
the country’s second largest and most affluent
town after Prague.
Its most popular tourist attractions include
abandoned silver mines, which are located right
under its streets. Equipped with electric torches,
helmets and traditional miner’s tunics with
hoods, visitors can inspect approximately 250
metres of the underground shafts of an original
medieval mine.
[6]
  5. Kutná Hora – a panoramic view
  6. St John Nepomuk’s Church
  7. A coat of arms made from human bones in
Sedlec
[7]
The Ossuary: Located not far from the railway station, the
cemetery Chapel of All Saints in the Sedlec Quarter serves
as a rather striking reminder of the transitional nature
of human life. The chapel’s decoration, including the altar
and chandeliers, is completely made up of human skulls and
bones. It is estimated that the chapel contains the bones
of approximately 40,000 people who were laid to rest in the
local cemetery from the late 13th century onwards.
www.kutnahora.cz
e-mail: infocentrum@kh.cz
 +420 327 512 378
www.czechtourism.com
[8]
[9]
Towns Scattered among Fishponds
Southern Bohemia is one of the country’s richest regions in terms of number of historical monuments. Visitors could spend
weeks here visiting one historical town, castle or chateau after another. České Budějovice, the region’s main centre with a population of one hundred thousand, was once the bulwark of royal power in a region controlled by a powerful noble family, the
Lords of the Rose, who had their main seat in the nearby town of Český Krumlov.
Other attractive destinations include the towns of Jindřichův Hradec, Třeboň, Písek, Tábor, the Renaissance Červená Lhota
Chateau built on the site of an older stronghold surrounded by water, the medieval royal Zvíkov Castle perched above the
confluence of the rivers Otava and Vltava and the village of Holašovice, which has been added to the UNESCO List of World
Cultural Heritage as a fine example of traditional Czech rural architecture.
[10]
[ ČESKÉ BUDĚJOVICE ]
The main square in České Budějovice is dominated
by the stone Samson Fountain, situated in its centre,
and the spectacular Baroque Town Hall. Dating from
the first quarter of the 1700s, the splendidly decorated
fountain is the largest structure of its kind to be found
in the Czech Republic and originally served as a water
reservoir for the whole town. A number of historical
arcaded burghers’ houses add to the character of the
regular square-shaped square.
www.c-budejovice.cz
e-mail: infocb@c-budejovice.cz
 +420 386 801 413
  8. Budějovický Budvar – one of the most famous Czech
beers
  9. České Budějovice Square and town hall
10. The Samson Fountain with the Black Tower in the
background
CINQUEFOIL ROSE
CELEBRATIONS: Český
Krumlov’s main festival, the
costumed Cinquefoil Rose
Celebrations held in June,
provides an opportunity for
the town to recall its heyday
in the Renaissance period.
The programme features
theatre performances,
concerts of period music and
reconstructions of knights’
tournaments.
www.ckrumlov.cz
e-mail: info@ckrumlov.cz
 +420 380 704 622
[11]
[ ČESKÝ KRUMLOV ]
Český Krumlov nestles in the valley of the Vltava, with the river practically encircling its historical centre. The town’s landmarks
include a Renaissance town hall, the Gothic Church of St Vitus and a castle, once the seat of the Rožmberk noble family. The
main charm of Český Krumlov, however, rests in the fact that the town as a whole has retained its ancient image. As a result
visitors can easily feel as if they have stepped several centuries back in time.
The town, however, can also offer a host of stylish restaurants, cafés and souvenir shops. Apart from this a range of cultural
events are staged in the town every year. The Egon Schiele Art Centrum gallery regularly hosts exhibitions featuring leading
Czech and international artists. Finding a temporary home in the town, Egon Schiele, a famous representative of the Viennese
Art Nouveau style, made the town immortal in several of his paintings and drawings.
11. A panoramic view of Český Krumlov
12. Cinquefoil Rose Celebrations
13. Plášťový Bridge across the castle moat
[12]
[13]
[14]
[15]
[ Tábor ]
The town of Tábor was founded in 1420 by the supporters of the Hussite reform movement as their main base; from there
their armed groups set out on forays to places all over Bohemia as well as beyond its borders. Led by Jan Žižka, their one-eyed
captain whose statue adorns Tábor’s main square, the Hussites managed to ward off several crusades organized by the Pope and
the Emperor.
Granted royal town status later, Tábor became an important trade point on a road leading from the south of the country to
Prague in the Renaissance period. The town was protected by an ingenious system of fortification walls, most of which have
survived to this day. The town’s defence system included underground passages interconnecting the individual houses of the old
town. Part of this underground labyrinth is open to the general public.
[16]
HUSSITES: The Hussites took their name from Master Jan
Hus (John Huss), a church reformer who died a martyr’s
death at the stake in 1415 after being condemned as a
heretic by the Constance Council. In the first half of the
15th century, Hussite troops, pushing for church reform
and the strict adherence to the laws of God, managed
to control the larger part of Bohemia for almost two
decades and it was not until a compromise agreement was
struck between the Catholics and the moderate Hussites
that peace could be restored in the country. The Czech
Lands thus became a country of “dual faith” approximately
eighty years prior to the emergence of Martin Luther.
www.tabor.cz
e-mail: infocentrum@mu.tabor.cz
 +420 381 486 230
14. Tábor – the old town hall
15. The Hussite Museum with a statue of Jan Žižka
16. The Church of the Transfiguration of Our Lord
on the Tábor Mountain
www.czechtourism.com
[ PÍSEK ]
Písek’s chief historical monument is a stone bridge across
the River Otava. The oldest surviving bridge in the Czech
Republic, the structure was built some time prior to 1300,
i.e. more than fifty years before the construction of the
much famous Charles Bridge in Prague. The Písek bridge
lay on a trade route, known as the Golden Path, which
connected the Czech Lands with Austria and Germany.
A number of other landmarks in the old town are also
worth inspecting – the town walls, the Gothic decanal
church featuring a 70-metre-high tower and the main
square with its Baroque town hall. A passage leading to
the town hall courtyard provides access to the local town
museum situated in the surviving wing of the former
Gothic royal castle.
www.icpisek.cz
e-mail: icpisek@mupisek.cz
 +420 382 213 592
[17]
[19]
[18]
17. A panoramic view of Písek
18. Calvary sculptural group on the Stone Bridge
19. Písek – the oldest surviving bridge in Bohemia
[20]
[ JINDŘICHůV HRADEC ]
The name Jindřichův Hradec translates as Henry’s Castle. A town grew up around the castle, before long becoming one of the
most important locations in the region. Jindřichův Hradec experienced its heyday in the 16th century when the majority of the
houses in the square originated and the local castle underwent massive reconstruction, being expanded and adapted into an elegant Renaissance chateau. As Italian master builders were invited to carry out the project, the castle’s inner arcaded courtyard
shows the inspiration of palaces in Florence.
[21]
20. Jindřichův Hradec – an aerial view
21. A view of the chateau across the Vajgar Fishpond
22. A well with a Renaissance grille in the chateau courtyard
[22]
www.jh.cz
e-mail: info@jh.cz
 +420 384 363 546
www.czechtourism.com
[23]
[24]
[ TŘEBOŇ ]
Třeboň, a spa town with a lovely square and a Renaissance chateau, is located amidst a flat landscape dotted with a myriad
of fishponds. Fish farming in Southern Bohemia boasts a tradition spanning several centuries. The fishponds in the town’s
surroundings and the system of artificial river canals serve as a remarkable testimony to the technical skills of our ancestors.
Although it is in fact an example of artificial interference in nature, the local landscape creates a picturesque impression indeed.
Fishponds were founded here with the aim of farming freshwater fish as fish, carp in particular, has been an inseparable part of
traditional Czech cuisine. In many families carp fillets coated in breadcrumbs form the traditional Christmas Eve dinner. The
annual autumn fish harvest, combined with the emptying of fishponds, is always an interesting experience.
www.itrebon.cz
e-mail: info@itrebon.cz
 +420 384 721 169
23. Master of the Třeboň Altar – Jesus Christ on the Mount of Olives
24. Fish harvest in Southern Bohemia
25. Třeboň – the square
[25]
www.czechtourism.com
[26]
All Kinds of Curative Springs
For centuries Western Bohemia has been a focal point of balneology,
with the curative properties of the local springs being known since the
Middle Ages.
But it is not just patients suffering from some health problem or other
who make use of the sophisticated spa services that are offered there;
visitors from all corners of the world come to seek relaxation and rest
in Western Bohemian spas.
The most famous of the local spa towns are Karlovy Vary, Mariánské
Lázně and Františkovy Lázně, all elegant spa resorts with luxurious
hotels and casinos which entertained the most outstanding celebrities
of European political and cultural life in the 19th century. As well as
thermal and mineral springs, peat and natural gas are used in curative
procedures.
A number of other West Bohemian towns, including the regional
capital of Plzeň, are worthy of exploring and beer connoisseurs would
certainly tell you that the famous Plzeň beer is a brew with beneficial
effects.
[27]
[ KARLOVY VARY ]
As well as being the most famous Czech spa town, Karlovy Vary is the venue of an international film festival, which – like the
festivals in Cannes, Venice and Berlin – is included in the prestigious A category. Film enthusiasts, producers and film stars
meet in the town every year at the beginning of July.
26. Karlovy Vary – a view of the town
27. Karlovy Vary – children by a fountain
10
www.karlovyvary.cz
e-mail: infocentrum@karlovyvary.cz
 +420 353 224 097
[ CHEB ]
The symbol of Cheb is Špalíček, a bizarre-looking double-block of eleven houses wedged in a corner of the main
square. The houses were built on the site of shopkeepers’
booths and butchers’ shops which stood here as early as in
the 13th century. Located just a few steps from the square,
Cheb Castle is one of the most beautiful Romanesque
structures to be found in Central Europe. Built in the 12th
century as an imperial residence, it features a valuable
two-storey castle chapel dedicated to SS Erhard and Ursula,
among other structures.
www.mestocheb.cz
e-mail: infocentrum@mestocheb.cz
 +420 354 440 302
[28]
[29]
28. Cheb – the Romanesque-Gothic Chapel
of SS Erhard and Ursula at the castle
[30]
29. Cheb – the square
30. Cheb – St Nicholas’ Church
11
[31]
www.czechtourism.com
[ PLZEŇ ]
As early as in the Middle Ages, Plzeň was a major trading point
on the road running from Prague to Nuremberg. Having experienced a second heyday in the period of the industrial revolution,
the Plzeň of today is one of the largest Czech cities, the seat of a
university and the focal point of a lively cultural life.
The town’s historical centre is dominated by the more than one
hundred-metre-high Gothic tower of the Catholic Church of St
Bartholomew. Also of note is the Plzeň Synagogue, the second
largest in Europe and the third largest in the world. Built at the end
of the 1800s, it features a double tower Byzantine-Moorish front
façade modelled on an older Berlin synagogue which, however, no
longer exists.
PLZEŇ BEER: Plzeň is a real place of pilgrimage for all lovers of beer. The name of this West
Bohemian town appears in the name of hundreds of beers from all over the world which imitate a
production method introduced by the local brewers more than 150 years ago. However, there is only
one genuine Plzeň beer – Pilsner Urquell. The brewery where this beer is made can be visited within
regular tours.
[32]
[33]
www.plzen.eu
e-mail: info@icpilsen.cz
 +420 378 035 330
[ DOMAŽLICE ]
Domažlice is the centre of the border Chodsko
region which is renowned for its living folklore traditions. The first royal town on an important trade
route leading from Germany, Domažlice served as
a gateway to Bohemia in the Middle Ages. To this
day a huge Gothic gate, once part of the system of
municipal walls, guards access to the oblong main
square dominated by a cylindrical watch tower. The
main folklore festival here is the traditional Chodsko Celebrations held every year around August 10.
[34]
www.chodskeslavnosti.cz
e-mail: infocentrum@mesto-domazlice.cz
 +420 379 725 852
31. Plzeň – the square with St Bartholomew’s Church
32. Large Synagogue
33. Folk dance
34. Domažlice – Peace Square
12
[35]
Towards the Mountains
A continuous belt of mountains forms the northern border of the Czech Republic
with Germany and Poland. The Krušné Mountains, the Jizerské Mountains and
especially the Krkonoše (Giant) Mountains offer ideal conditions for active forms
of relaxation both in summer and winter. However, on the way to the mountains
it is certainly worth visiting some of the towns which lie on the route, as many of
them boast eventful histories and a wealth of architectural monuments.
[ LIBEREC ]
Liberec is a regional centre and the starting point of trips to the Jizerské Mountains. First recorded in historical annals in the Middle Ages, it was not until
the development of the textile industry in the early 19th century that the town
began to experience its heyday. The popular dominant feature of the whole
Liberec Region is the Ještěd television transmitter located on the outskirts of
town. Viewed from a distance, the transmission tower, designed by the architect
Karel Hubáček, resembles a spaceship ready to take off. But it also responds
sensitively to the landscape, adding an elegant aerodynamic point to the cone-shaped peak of the Ještěd Mountain. Inside the tower, you will find not only
technical facilities, but also a hotel and a restaurant affording fabulous views of
the surrounding landscape.
[37]
[36]
www.infolbc.cz
e-mail: mic@infolbc.cz
 +420 485 101 709
35. Celebrations in Liberec
36. Ještěd
37. Litoměřice – an aerial view
[ LITOMĚŘICE ]
Located a mere one hour’s ride to the north
of Prague, Litoměřice prides itself on a
large square framed by historical arcaded
burghers’ houses, a number of churches
and the well-preserved remains of original
town walls. Just a few steps from the square
in the direction of the river, which runs
around the town in the south, you will find
what is called Dómský pahorek (Cathedral
Hillock) with St Stephen’s Cathedral and
the Baroque Bishop’s Residence. Visitors
should not miss the local art gallery and the
museum of national history and geography.
www.litomerice.cz
e-mail: info@litomerice.cz
 +420 416 732 440
13
[38]
[ JIČÍN ]
[39]
www.jicin.cz
e-mail: mic@jicin.org
 +420 493 534 390
14
The historical small town of Jičín flourished in the 17th century when
the imperial commander Albrecht Waldstein, the most affluent aristocrat in the country in his time, strove to rebuild it as his capital town.
Although his ambitious plan was never completed, it continues to
determine the character of the town and its surroundings in the most
distinct manner even nowadays.
Jičín is also referred to as “the fairy-tale town”, with almost every
Czech child associating it with a popular fairy-tale hero, the robber
Rumcajs, who is believed to have lived in the nearby Řáholec Forest.
That is why Jičín hosts an annual festival dedicated to the works for
children every autumn.
38. Jičín – the square
39. Jičín - the Town of Fairy Tales festival
www.czechtourism.com
Something for Everyone
Two towns, Hradec Králové and Pardubice, compete for the position of chief town of Eastern Bohemia. Both of them, however, have much to offer visitors, as have many other locations in the region. Litomyšl, for instance, has even been added to the
UNESCO List of World Cultural Heritage.
[ PARDUBICE ]
The historical centre of Pardubice and the local chateau both show a mostly Renaissance face. From the
viewpoint of historical value, the U Jonáše House, a
building with a magnificent stucco façade located in
the main square, is the most outstanding sight. Today
it is used by the town’s art museum. The local chateau
and the tower of the Green Gate, which provides access to the square, are also open to the general public.
As well as for its historical monuments, Pardubice is
renowned for its tradition of ginger-bread making
and its steeplechase. Introduced in 1874, the Grand
Pardubice Steeplechase is considered one of the most
difficult horse races of its kind in continental Europe.
www.ipardubice.cz
e-mail: info@ipardubice.cz
+420 466 768 390
[40]
[ HRADEC KRÁLOVÉ ]
[41]
Hradec Králové has been ranked several times as the
most pleasant Czech town to live in. Located on the
confluence of the rivers Labe and Orlice, the town
boasts a remarkable historical centre with a spacious square and the Gothic Cathedral of the Holy
Ghost, surrounded by a wreath of parkland. Hradec
Králové is also renowned as a showcase of modern
architecture of the first half of the 20th century.
Built shortly prior to World War I, the building of
the regional museum in particular is featured in
perhaps every publication dedicated to Czech modern architecture.
40. Grand Pardubice Steeplechase – one of the most
difficult horse races in Europe
41. Hradec Králové – the museum
www.ic-hk.cz
e-mail: icko@ic-hk.cz
 +420 495 534 485
15
[42]
[ LITOMYŠL ]
[43]
The arcaded Litomyšl Chateau is an exquisite example of
transalpine Renaissance architecture. It is unique for preserving – practically intact – its original appearance created in the 16th century by Italian artists and craftsmen. All
the chateau’s outside walls and chimneys are covered in
sgrafitti, paintings engraved in the plaster. Tradition has it
that none of the motifs used is repeated.
The town of Litomyšl proper possesses a pleasant atmosphere, typical of a small community with an eventful
history and a varied cultural life. Of the many local sights
we should mention at least Portmoneum, a house featuring fantastic paintings created in the early 1900s by Josef
Váchal, a highly original visual artist and author whose
work cannot be identified with any of the artistic trends
of his time.
BEDŘICH SMETANA: The composer Bedřich
Smetana (1824-1884) was the founder of the
Czech operatic and symphonic tradition. Every
year the town of Litomyšl recalls its famous
native son – Smetana’s father pursued a career
as a brewer in the local chateau brewery – by
staging a music festival at the end of June
and the beginning of July. The festival owes
its unique atmosphere to the fact that all its
concerts and opera performances take place in
the open air, specifically in the second chateau
courtyard.
www.litomysl.cz
e-mail: ic@litomysl.cz
 +420 461 612 161
[44]
42. Litomyšl – monastery gardens
43. Litomyšl – the chateau with the fountain
16
44. Portmoneum
www.czechtourism.com
Where Time Passes Slowly
Located away from the main trade and administrative centres, the
Bohemian-Moravian Highlands, a region on the border between
Bohemia and Moravia, boasts magnificent scenery, a glorious
past and a great number of historical monuments. You will find
three UNESCO sights here, specifically the towns of Telč and
Třebíč and the pilgrimage Church of St John Nepomuk near Žďár
nad Sázavou, all located a mere tens of kilometres away one from
another.
[ TELČ ]
[45]
Telč prides itself on one of the most beautiful squares to be found
in the Czech Republic. The oblong square with a Baroque Marian
Column and two fountains in its centre is lined on its perimeter
by historical arcaded burghers’ houses. The Renaissance Telč Chateau with its splendid garden is an outstanding historical monument in its own right.
www.telc.eu
e-mail: info@telc-etc.cz
 +420 567 112 407
[46]
[47]
[ SLAVONICE ]
Slavonice is located on the point of intersection of Bohemia, Moravia and Austria. Today it is just a small picturesque town, but in the past it was a lively trade centre. Having declined in importance due to the transfer of
trade routes later, it has managed to preserve – almost intact - the look it had four centuries ago. The majority
of houses in the town’s two main squares and the church tower display Renaissance decoration.
www.i.slavonice-mesto.cz
e-mail: i@slavonice-mesto.cz
 +420 384 493 320
45. Telč – the square
46. Slavonice – house No. 519 (a detail)
47. Slavonice – the fountain with a statue of St Florian
17
www.czechtourism.com
[ JIHLAVA ]
Built on silver mining in the Middle Ages, Jihlava later became
an important centre of trade. Apart from several churches, all
valuable examples of Gothic and Baroque architecture, and the
Renaissance gate, originally part of the municipal walls, the
town’s chief tourist attraction is the catacombs that stretch under
its streets. The entire old town is interconnected by a system of
underground passages hewn in the rock and running in several
storeys. Although their original purpose has not been determined
precisely, they obviously served as storage spaces for the traders of
Jihlava.
www.jihlava.cz
e-mail: tic@jihlava-city.cz
 +420 567 167 158
[48]
[49]
[ TŘEBÍČ ]
[50]
For centuries Jews in Europe were forced to live in closed ghettos in which there was a desperate lack of space. This was also
the case of Třebíč. As the local Jewish quarter has survived practically intact, it gives – in contrast to other parts of the town
– a big-city impression. The nearby monastery Church of St Procopius is an important Christian monument. Displaying a
splendidly decorated entrance portal, the basilica is one of the most beautiful Romanesque structures to be found in the Czech
Republic.
www.kviztrebic.cz
e-mail: info@kviztrebic.cz
 +420 568 847 070
18
48. Jihlava – the Neptune Fountain
49. Třebíč – St Procopius’ Basilica
50. St Procopius’ Basilica (interior)
[51]
With a Wine Grape in
its Coat of Arms
A major wine-growing region, Southern Moravia also has
numerous attractive tourist destinations to offer visitors
in addition to excellent wines. The university city of Brno
is the second most populated town in the country after
Prague. However, there is a range of smaller towns, such
as Znojmo, Břeclav and Mikulov, which are also well
worth a visit.
[ BRNO ]
One of the most significant royal towns for centuries,
Brno boasts a historical centre dominated by the Gothic
Cathedral of SS Peter and Paul whose towers afford spectacular views of the city.
Besides this, Brno prides itself on numerous outstanding examples of Functionalist architecture, including the
Tugendhat Villa, a masterpiece by the famous architect
Mies van der Rohe. Although the villa was built more
than seventy years ago, it continues to create the impression of a contemporary achievement. The fact that it
was one of the few modern structures to be added to the
UNESCO World Cultural Heritage bears witness to its
extraordinary value.
If viewed from the street, the villa looks like an uninteresting grey garage. This impression only adds to your
sense of surprise when you visit the interior. The original
spatial layout, the elegantly furnished interiors and – for
the time of its creation – the state-of-the-art technological equipment, all make the villa one of the pioneering
achievements of modern architecture.
[52]
[53]
www.ticbrno.cz
e-mail: info@ticbrno.cz
 +420 542 211 090
[54]
51. Brno – the Exhibition Grounds
52. Brno – the Cathedral of SS Peter and Paul
53. Tugendhat Villa (interior)
54. Tugendhat Villa (exterior)
19
[55]
[ ZNOJMO ]
Located on the border between Moravia and Austria, the royal town of Znojmo has played a significant role in the history of
the Czech state for many centuries. The Rotunda of St Catherine, a Christian church based on a circular ground plan, boasts of
being one of the country’s oldest ecclesiastical structures. Its inner walls have preserved unique 12th-century fresco decoration
depicting the family tree of the Přemyslid family, the oldest Czech ruling dynasty. One of the paintings portraits the dynasty’s
fabulous founder, Přemysl the Ploughman. The town’s surroundings are renowned for wine and cucumber growing. Pickled
Znojmo cucumbers are a phenomenon famous not only in the Czech Republic.
http://tic.znojmocity.cz
e-mail: tic@beseda.znojmo.cz
 +420 515 222 552
55. Znojmo – St Nicholas’ Church and St Wenceslas’
Chapel
56. Znojmo – the underground spaces
20
[56]
www.czechtourism.com
In a Region of Affluence
Central Moravia, also called Haná, is one of the most fertile regions to be found in the Czech Republic. The riches of the local countryside are reflected in a glorious folklore tradition and a large number of both sacred and secular historical monuments. The region’s capital is Olomouc, a community with a population of one hundred thousand; other important centres
include the towns of Kroměříž, Prostějov and Přerov.
[57]
[58]
[ OLOMOUC ]
The university town of Olomouc has been the cultural and administrative centre of Moravia since the early Middle Ages. As
early as in 1063, the town became the seat of the bishopric. The historical face of the city was influenced most distinctly by the
Baroque era, which has bequeathed to it numerous churches, palaces and the Holy Trinity Column in the main square, the largest and most spectacular monument of its kind in the world.
Another noteworthy attraction of the old town of Olomouc is seven fountains, all featuring splendid sculptural decoration celebrating Julius Caesar and classical gods, since humanist scholars believed that it was Julius Caesar who founded Olomouc. Six
of the aforementioned fountains were built in the Baroque period; the seventh – which was planned in the same period – had to
wait until 2002 for its creation and placement in front of the town hall.
[59]
www.olomouc-tourism.cz
e-mail: infocentrum@olomouc-tourism.cz
 +420 585 513 385
57. Olomouc – the Holy Trinity Column (detail)
58. Olomouc – St Michael’s Church (cupola)
59. Olomouc – the Caesar Fountain
21
[60]
[61]
[ KROMĚŘÍŽ ]
Kroměříž is referred to as the town of gardens. Originally stretching beyond the town walls, the Flower Garden
is now considered a rare example of early Baroque garden architecture. Arranged to form regular patterns, the
shrubs and flower beds reflect a period predilection for discovering a hidden ideal order in the nature. Kroměříž’s
second famous garden is the English park in the neighbourhood of the local Baroque chateau which served for
centuries as the summer residence of the bishops of Olomouc. Also worth exploring are the chateau wine cellars,
full of wine casks in which sacramental wine is left to mature.
www.mesto-kromeriz.cz
e-mail: info@krominfo.cz
 +420 573 331 473
[62]
PICTURE GALLERY: The Kroměříž chateau gallery
contains one of the greatest collections of
European art to be found in the Czech Republic.
On display there are paintings by Cranach,
Breughel and van Dyck, among other artists. The
most treasured gem is Titian’s Apollo and Marsyas,
a rare example of the artist’s late painting
technique and a work which goes – in terms of its
cruel theme - beyond the scope of the motifs of his
other creations. Experts identified the painter’s
self-portrait in the features of one of the figures
in the painting.
60. Kroměříž – the chateau (Vassal Hall)
61. Kroměříž – a view of the chateau as seen from the square
62. Kroměříž – the Flower Garden with an Italian-style
pavilion
22
www.czechtourism.com
With the Mountains
within Sight
On one hand Northern Moravia is a region with a long
tradition of industrial production; on the other, however, it is a region of magnificent nature and special folklore traditions. One of its two images is represented by
the region’s capital city Ostrava, the other by such small
towns as Štramberk and Rožnov pod Radhoštěm. The
Beskydy mountain range, stretching along the Slovak
border, is considered one of the most unspoilt corners of
the Czech Republic.
[64]
[65]
[63]
[ OSTRAVA ]
The third largest city in the Czech Republic, Ostrava
owes its character not only to the long tradition of coal
mining and iron ore processing, but also to the proximity of the Beskydy Mountains which offer perfect conditions both for summer and winter sports. The town’s
dominant feature is the blast furnaces of the Vítkovice
Metallurgical Works. Ostrava, however, boasts a host of
architectural gems, the most noteworthy of which are
those dating from the first half of the 20th century.
www.ostravainfo.cz
e-mail: mic@ostravainfo.cz
 +420 596 123 913
63. Stodolní Street – the centre of entertainment
64. Ostrava – the town hall
65. Ostrava – the Michael Mine
VÍTKOVICE: The Vítkovice Metallurgical Works was
founded in 1828. Several years later, steel began to
be manufactured and a coke blast furnace was put
to work there. After the Hlubina black coal mine
was opened nearby, a whole continual technological
process –coal mining, coke manufacturing and steel
production – developed here. Production was halted
in 1998, i.e. after 170 years of uninterrupted operation.
Today plans are being considered to turn the whole
area into a listed monument.
23
[66]
[ NOVÝ JIČÍN ]
The oldest written document bearing witness to the existence of Nový Jičín dates from 1313, when King John of Luxemburg
issued a letter granting the town the right to collect duties and tolls. The town flourished most in the first half of the 1500s in
the reign of the Žerotíns, a powerful Moravian noble family. A host of burghers’ houses in the main square and the residential
Žerotín Chateau, today home to the museum of local history and geography, date from the period of their reign. The town’s
main landmarks are the Baroque plague column in the square and the 66-metre-high late Renaissance bell tower of the local
parish church.
www.novy-jicin.cz
e-mail: icentrum@novy-jicin.cz
 +420 556 711 888
[ ŠTRAMBERK ]
Nestling in the foothills of the Beskydy
Mountains, the small town of Štramberk is
overlooked by the cylindrical tower of the
ruin of Strallenberg Castle. Forming a unique
collection of urban folk architecture, the
town enjoys historical reserve status. Due
to a lack of space within the town walls, terraced wooden cottages were piled up on the
rocky slopes of the castle hillock. A popular
tourist destination thanks to its picturesque
atmosphere, Štramberk is also famous for a
confectionery speciality known as Štramberk
ears – gingerbread rolls which are baked here
in remembrance of the victory of the local
inhabitants over Mongolian invaders in 1241.
[67]
66. Nový Jičín – the square
67. Štramberk – a panoramic view
24
www.stramberk.cz
e-mail: mic@stramberk.cz
 +420 556 812 085
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Litoměřice
Jičín
Hradec
Králové
Karlovy
Vary
PRAHA
Cheb
Pardubice
Ostrava
Kutná Hora
Litomyšl
Plzeň
Nový
Jičín
Olomouc
D
10
Liberec
B
C
6
Domažlice
Tábor
Písek
Jindřichův
Hradec
E
České
Budějovice
Český
Krumlov
Štramberk
Jihlava
Telč
BRNO
Kroměříž
Třebíč
Slavonice
Třeboň
Znojmo
F
Brno
České Budějovice
Český Krumlov
Domažlice
Hradec Králové
Cheb
Jičín
Jihlava
E7
E4
F4
D2
C6
C1
B5
D6
Jindřichův Hradec
Karlovy Vary
Kroměříž
Kutná Hora
Liberec
Litoměřice
Litomyšl
Olomouc
E5
B2
E8
C5
A5
B3
C7
D8
Ostrava
Nový Jičín
Pardubice
Písek
Plzeň
Praha
Slavonice
Štramberk
C10
D9
C6
E3
D2
C4
E5
D9
Tábor
Telč
Třebíč
Třeboň
Znojmo
This sign denotes official certified accommodation facilities
This sign denotes official tourist information centres
Published by Dagmar Friedlaenderová for CzechTourism
Prague 2006
Text: © Jan Skřivánek
Translation: © Ludmila Pušová
Photos: CzechTourism archive, Pavel Frič, Jaroslav Jeřábek, Miroslav Krob & Jun.,
Roman Maleček, Luboš Stiburek
Printing: Petit Press
This project is financed partially by the European Union
The official tourist presentation of the Czech Republic
www.czechtourism.com
D4
E5
E6
E4
F6
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Towns
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+420 221 580 611
info@czechtourism.cz
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