Pilgrimage Church of St. John of Nepomuk

The pilgrimage church of St. John of Nepomuk on Green Hill is an exceptional building designed in Baroque Gothic style which was included in the prestigious UNESCO list of World Cultural Heritage in 1994. The architect Jan Blazej Santini-Aichl dedicated the church to St. John of Nepomuk, the patron saint of Bohemia as well as of all priests, confessors, pilgrims and sailors. That is why the statues portraying the saint are often placed at crossroads and on bridges.

The legend of St. John of Nepomuk is known worldwide

Historical sources claim that John of Nepomuk refused to reveal the confession secret of the queen to her husband King Wenceslas IV and thus earned the King’s undying hatred. The King had John tortured to death and afterwards had his body thrown off the Charles Bridge into the river Vltava in a place where the statue of St. John of Nepomuk stands today. While designing and building the church architect Santini showed a great deal of admiration for this important Czech patron saint. In his architectural designs he enjoyed using numerals which have iconographic meaning. The dominant number for the church of St. John of Nepomuk is number five which stands for life and human experience. The church is built in the shape of a five-pointed star and it can be accessed by five entrances. Inside there are five chapels with five altars. It is surrounded by cloisters in the shape of a ten-pointed star which provide shelter for the pilgrims against bad weather. The interior decoration of the church is closely connected to the legend. From the top of the Green Hill there is a fantastic view of the Konventsky Pond and part of the castle grounds. A virtual tour of the church is available here.

Museum of the Book

There are several interesting exhibitions in the Castle of Žďár nad Sázavou but above all the castle is a home to the world renowned Museum of the Book which is the largest of its kind in Europe. Among its many interesting exhibits you will find medieval manuscripts, unique prints, castle library furniture, examples of contemporary book illustrations and a collection of old printing presses. In the convent building there is an exhibition dedicated to the architect Jan Blazej Santini which introduces his work using photographs, model buildings, period drawings and short films.

When you enter the first courtyard you will be impressed by the beautiful fountain decorated by the statue of Virgin Mary with Jesus. Other sights include the Convent Church of the Assumption of Virgin Mary, the oldest primary school of the region and the museum of the local fire brigade. There is a café and tea room inside the castle as well.

Ždárské Hills

The rivers of Sazava, Svratka, Chrudimka, Doubrava and Oslava all begin in the Žďárské Hills. It is an important tourism destination with numerous small towns and villages dotted among the wooded hills, meadows, burns and ponds most of which date back to the Middle Ages. The most sought-after place in the Zdar nad Sázavou area is the small town of Skrdlovice near the Velke Darko pond. As the largest pond in Českomoravská vrchovina (The Highlands) it is a favourite spot for windsurfers yachting enthusiasts or those looking to relax on its sandy banks. The area is ideal for walking and cycling and offers one of the best natural environments in the Czech Republic.

Glassmaking industry used to flourish in the area

It is just a stone throw away from Velké Dářko to the small picturesque village of Karlov where you can find a small private glass maker. The region was once famous for glassmaking. The workshop was saved and is still run by a well-known artist Jaroslav Svoboda whose works are represented in many of the world´s leading galleries. He also built a restaurant in Karlov where the interior is decorated by various glass decorations creating a special atmosphere. The restaurant offers visitors the chance to buy various glass products. The well-balanced menu features traditional Czech cuisine as well as the local specialities of the Highlands.

You can even climb a mammoth in Žďár nad Sázavou

If you are longing for peace and quiet and and the romantic landscape of Sazava River, the best place to go to is Rozstipene Rocks which is approximately three kilometres away from Zdar nad Sazavou. The biggest attraction for the kids is a large sculpture of a mammoth´s head about 2.5m high which they can climb as well as sit on. The area is equally suitable for rock climbers of all abilities. There is also an option to visit an original renovated iron-mill which bears witness to the iron manufacturing industry of the past. The Rosicka Hill is a traditional meeting place for various interest groups and at one time there was an air traffic lighthouse at its peak. Now there is a modern telecommunication tower and the place has become a popular stop-over for cyclists using the Posazavska cycling trail.

Zubštejn Castle belongs among the castles of the hills of Moravia

We thoroughly recommend that you pay a visit to the Zubštejn Castle located just 30 kilometres away from Zdar nad Sazavou. The Castle is among the largest castle complexes in the Czech Republic. The best preserved parts of the Castle include the more recent palace which has four arched rooms and an entrance tower. The remains of the older palace comprise the lower section and the fortifications at the heart of the castle. Zubstejn offers wonderful views of the surrounding landscape. The most celebrated event of the year is called The Battle of the Castle which features an entertaining programme that is loved by children and adults alike. This year it will take place on July 21 and visitors will be able to see a fire show, jugglers, fencing tournaments, period and oriental dances and have the opportunity to take part in numerous competitions. The atmosphere will be enhanced by the music of the Middle Ages.

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.

Literature lovers know Lipnice nad Sázavou as the place where author J. Hašek lived the last years of his life and where he wrote his most famous works, The Fateful Adventures of the Good Soldier Švejk. His house with exhibits is located directly beneath a rocky ridge, on which one of the largest Czech castles was constructed at the beginning of the 14th century.

Visitors have the opportunity to tour the Lipnice castle and walk through the monumental medieval architecture, view archaeological exhibits, the armoury an the chapel with an enormous cellar and deep well. Another important part of the tour includes unique views into the surrounding areas. Exploring the castle architecture is an unforgettable experience for young and old visitors alike. In the summer, the atmosphere is livened up with performances by drama groups, fencers and musicians. The castle also includes a permanent archaeological exhibit and a gallery of modern creative art.

In the small town of Lipnice nad Sázavou, you can visit a monument to Jaroslava Hašek at the guesthouse U české koruny, where he lived and wrote his works. Jaroslav Hašek is buried in the old cemetery in Lipnice. The surrounding woods contain immersed quarries with large cliff artwork by sculptor R. Dvořáka – Bretschneider's ear, Mouth of Truth and Golden Eyes.

What you need to see…

Telč – The Telč chateau is one of the most well preserved examples of Renaissance architecture in the Czech Republic and contains valuable interior furnishings and a beautiful garden. One of its wings contains exhibits from the Vysočina Museum with a moving nativity scene. Besides the chateau, the complex of UNESCO heritage sites also includes a square with several civic houses with Renaissance coats of arms and arcade archways, fountains, Baroque statues and other attractions.

Třebíč – This town's UNESCO heritage sites include its unique preserved Jewish quarter with two synagogues and a Jewish cemetery. The interior sections of the rear synagogue include exhibits mapping the history of the Jewish ghetto, and the most interesting exhibit is a model of the Jewish town. The Jewish cemetery is located nearby and contains more than 3,000 graves as well as a wedding hall.

Pilgrimage Church of St. Jan of Nepomuk on the Green Mountain near Žďár nad Sázavou – This marvellous example of Baroque Gothic architecture was build based on a design by architect J. B. Santini. According to a legent, five stars appears above the body of St. Jan after he drowned, and therefore the structure has the shape of a five-pointed star, five exits, five stars on the main altar and five angels. The church in the middle of the cemetery flanked by archways is recorded in the UNESCO list of world cultural and natural heritage sites.

Western town of Šiklův mlýn – This is an original entertainment location in the style of the wild west with saloons, sweet shops, casinos, hotels and restaurants, where you can get to know the lives of Indians, cowboys and gold miners. Besides its large western show featuring examples of cowboy art and horse wranglers, you can also visit the rodeo arena, the mini zoo and the Indian village.

Draxmoor haunted chateau in Dolní Rožínka – This three-foot old granary contains more than twenty sound emitting and animated models of witches, hags, dragons and other scary figures, and there is also a children's playground and gift shops selling scary items and refreshments.

Do you know that...

The mysterious illuminated tunnel below Jihlava hides a special secret

Beneath the historic centre of the city of Jihlava there are about three floors of old halls forming a perfect labyrinth. The total area of the labyrinth is 50,000 square metres, it is 25 km long and is the second most extensive labyrinth of underground pathways in the Czech Republic. Jihlava's underground labyrinth, which in some places is only 80 cm wide, was created by joining medieval cellars together. They lead from the cellars of all of the houses vertically under the square and streets and branch out into a complex system of tunnels, from which it used to be possible to get from one part of the town to another without being seen. Eleven metres below the ground, there is a worldwide unique attraction, a phosphorescent tunnel. No one has yet been able to explain the source of this mysterious light. Could it be caused by phosphorus released from the bones of monks buried above the pathways? Is it an unknown organic substance? Or is it caused by an artificially produced luminescent substance used as paint on the walls mixed with mortar?