Villa Tugendhat - functionalist villa

This year, the Czech Republic celebrates the 20th anniversary of the incorporation of its first monuments on the UNESCO List of World Cultural and Natural Heritage. Come and discover 12 true “jewels of the world”.

Historic Prague

There is a reason why Prague is often called one of the most beautiful cities in the world, with an unequalled charm. And how could it not be, as it is interwoven with a plethora of myths, legends and stories passed on over centuries. Here you will find exceptional monuments of all architectural styles. The Old New Synagogue, St. Agnes Convent and Prague Castle, including the St. Vitus Cathedral, are all worth seeing. During the summer tourist season, you will surely be charmed by Prague Castle’s freely accessible gardens. Nor should you forget to visit one of the taverns of Old Prague to quench your thirst with a pint of excellent Czech beer.

Functionalist Brno

Following extensive renovations, as from this February the Tugendhat Villa – a gem of international functionalist architecture – is once again one of the main tourist attractions in the city of Brno. In addition to the main living quarters, you also will be able to tour the truly unique technical floor featuring the air conditioning engine room, a moth-free room for fur cloaks, and servants’ apartments. The outlying garden also underwent a complete revitalisation, offering an attractive view of the city and its many other tourist attractions.

Ecclesiastical Olomouc

For church tourism enthusiasts in particular, we recommend a visit to Olomouc, where, among other sites, you can see the Holy Trinity Column. It is an exceptional piece in the context of European baroque architectural and sculptural works – unique for its height, decorations and combination of materials. Some sculptural decorations are from stone, while others from gilded copper. A small chapel is hidden inside the column. When you are standing in front of this monument and admire its majesty with your own eyes, it will surely take your breath away.

Fairy-tale Český Krumlov

In this small town in South Bohemia, you will feel as if you have entered a fairy tale. The extensive chateau complex and unique medieval town houses will invite you to wander through streets filled with romantic nooks where many galleries and taverns can be found. In the chateau park, you will discover a theatrical rarity – a revolving auditorium. Or perhaps you may be tempted by a raft ride along the Vltava River winding below the city walls and offering an entirely different view of the town.

Rural Holašovice

Whosoever has some connection with the countryside must include the village of Holašovice on their visit to the Czech Republic. Located in the picturesque landscape of South Bohemia 18 kilometres from the city of České Budějovice, its spacious rectangular central square features 23 protected heritage medieval farmhouses with a total of 120 buildings connected by enclosing walls with gates and arched entrances. Together they represent the most important monument of the so-called “rustic baroque”. If you come here between 20 and 22 July, you can even attend traditional rural festivities whose atmosphere will take you back several hundreds of years.

Flowering Kroměříž

This town, referred to as the Athens of Haná, offers many interesting sites in a small area. The largest attraction is the Archiepiscopal Chateau with its outlying Flower Garden. The unparalleled beauty created by the combinations of colours will persuade you that gardening is not only a beautiful craft, but can also be an important art form. During 3–6 May, the chateau will hold the traditional Days of the Estates, when tours of the historic halls will be enlivened by firefighters, gamekeepers and soldiers who will tell you share with you information you would not otherwise know about the chateau of Kroměříž!

Silver Kutná Hora

With its history of silver mining and coin minting, this city has since long ago been called the silver treasury of the Kingdom of Bohemia. The city is dominated by a church dedicated to the patron of miners, St. Barbara, constructed over the course of more than 500 years. A visit to the Czech Silver Museum will provide you a wealth of interesting information, and for a time you can even experience life as a mining gnome.

Romantic Lednice–Valtice Cultural Landscape

This landscape area has been connected with the house of Lichtenstein for centuries, as they invested a fortune into the formation of this cultural landscape. At the Valtice and Lednice chateaus you can tour luxurious interiors and wander through extensive parks. You also will certainly be enticed by a romantic cycling trip to its slightly less grand structures, such as the Temple of the Three Graces, Jan’s Castle and the Obelisk. Valtice to this day hides a treasure in its cellars – the Wine Salon, with some of the best wines from the Czech Republic. Likewise, Lednice holds the international competition of ice and straw wines.

Musical Litomyšl

The city’s dominant feature is the Renaissance chateau with over eight hundred sgraffiti. When you see this jewel, you will surely be tempted to stroll the historic streets ending in the Cloister Gardens. There, you can have a rest and remember the local-born Czech composer, Bedřich Smetana, in whose memory a musical festival is held here every year.

Picturesque Telč

You will surely fall in love with this town as soon as you take a tour through the downtown. The burghers’ houses were constructed according to an integrated plan, so their arcades and facades form a resplendent unified whole. Moreover, a tour of the Renaissance chateau with the nearby park offers you an unforgettable experience. Telč is located in the south-western tip of Moravia, halfway between Prague and Vienna, and it should definitely not escape your attention during your visit of the Czech Republic.

Mysterious Třebíč

In Třebíč, a unique former Jewish ghetto has been preserved that is among the important centres of Jewish culture in Moravia. You can best come to know the city’s atmosphere by taking a walk through the crooked alleys with their mysterious passages and nooks. Another precious monument in this city is the three-nave St. Procopius’ Basilica which is a distinctive example of the Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles.

Santini’s Žďár nad Sázavou

The pilgrimage St. John of Nepomuk’s church on Green Mountain is among the true jewels of the city and entire Czech Republic. It was built by one of the greatest architects of the Czech baroque, Jan Blažej Santini-Aichel. This edifice especially stands out when seen from a bird’s eye view. The walls around the church area trace the shape of a ten-pointed star, while the church itself was built in the shape of a five-pointed star. You can admire additional historic buildings as well as modern buildings of contemporary architecture if you follow the Santini bike trail through the beautiful landscape of the Bohemian–Moravian Highlands.

Villa Tugendhat underwent major reconstruction over the last two years and from this March it will offer visitors countless new features. Apart from the main living areas visitors will be able to see the unique utility and technical floor housing the engine room of the air distribution system, the “moth-resistant” room for the storage of fur coats and flats for the staff. A brand new research centre will be available for professionals looking to find out more about the unique building. The garden adjacent to the villa has also been fully restored.

Timeless jewel of modern architecture

Villa Tugendhat was designed by renowned German architect Ludwig Miese van der Rohe in 1928 at the request of Fritz Tugendhat, the owner of Brno´s large textile factory. The construction was completed in December 1930. Sadly the family did not have a chance to enjoy the exceptional accommodation located on a mild slope in the Černá Pole (Black Fields) district of Brno. In 1938, after they had been living in the house for a mere eight years, the family emigrated in fear of the Nazis. The villa was confiscated by the Nazis during the war and it was subsequently devastated by the soldiers of the Russian Red Army. After the war the villa served various purposes until the City of Brno took ownership of it in the early 1980´s, partially reconstructed it and started using it for representative purposes and as an accommodation for official guests. In 1992 it witnessed a historical moment when the Prime Ministers Václav Klaus and Vladimír Mečiar signed a treaty agreeing to the splitting of Czechoslovakia into two autonomous countries – The Czech Republic and Slovakia. Villa Tugendhat was listed in 2001 as the Czech Republic´s only modern architecture representative on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The family residence entered the history of architecture not only because of its construction and the layout of the living area but also due to the exceptional technical equipment used for its time including an electric powered window opening system, a sophisticated air-conditioning and a door opening sensor at the entrance. The official re-opening of the villa after the extensive reconstruction will take place on February 29 and the first visitors from the public will be able visit the house on Saturday March 3. Among other things there will be a stunning view of the city to enjoy from its prominent location.

Brno boasts other significant sights

Moravia´s capital is the beating heart of the Region of South Moravia. It has almost 400 000 inhabitants and has plenty to offer to visitors. Built in the 13th century the Royal Castle of Špilberk was turned into a baroque fortress in the 17th and 18th centuries and became the most renowned prison of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It was famously nicknamed “the prison of the nations“. Today the Castle is the seat of the Museum of the City of Brno with numerous expositions. The Castle is surrounded by an extensive park which offers a lovely view of the city. The second castle of Brno is called Veveří and is set in a beautiful landscape overlooking the Brno Dam. It is a former royal hunting castle and can be visited either on foot or by boat – there is a steam boat berth below the Castle. Those of more adventurous nature can venture into a baroque crypt underneath the Capuchin monastery. The unique system of air circulation in this tomb enables natural mummification of the freely stored corpses. In the Mendl Square there is a unique gothic Cathedral of Ascension of the Virgin Mary which was awarded the title basilica minor from Pope John Paul II in 1987. The oldest non-religious building in Brno is the “Old Townhall” with its well-known crooked tower, which is the subject of various legends, and the famous Brno dragon hanging from its ceiling in the entrance to the tower.

When you get tired of sightseeing

When you have seen all the historical sights Brno has to offer we recommend you visit the beautiful Brno Exhibition Grounds, home to more than 150 trade shows of various industries every year. Your next destination might be the zoological garden located on the slopes of Mniší Mountain in Brno – Bystrc and taking up 65 hectares. You will see more than 200 different species among the 800 animals. The most popular summer spot in the city is Brno Dam where you can just relax or get involved in various sports activities. If you are a lover of motorsports do not forget to visit Masaryk´s Ring which is one of the most modern motor racing circuits in central Europe. You can join a guided tour, go on a test ride or enjoy inline skating on the circuit.

When the night falls

Brno won first place in the Urban Security Award competition last year which it entered with a project called Safe location – safe living. You can therefore feel perfectly safe when you take to the streets at night.

You should definitely pay a visit to one of many local restaurants as Moravian gastronomy is very special. We recommend you wash down the local specialities such as Moravian meat roll, Znojmo goulash or scones from Vlčnov with a glass of white or red Moravian wine. After the tasty dinner you can treat yourself to one of many cultural events. Brno is home to several theatres, concert halls and music clubs offering music of all kinds. It will be an unforgettable experience to listen to traditional Moravian cimbalom music and folk songs.

South Moravia will inspire you

South Moravia is the fourth largest region of the Czech Republic and third largest in terms of the number of inhabitants. It boasts four UNESCO listed sites and is renowned for its attractive folklore tradition and wine tourism. Whichever direction you decide to take in South Moravia you will always be surrounded by things to admire. Don´t forget to visit some of the most beautiful castles in the Czech Republic including Pernštejn, the castles of Lednice and Valtice, the Moravian Carst (caves) or towns such as Znojmo, Hodonín and Strážnice.