Olomouc Region Paths of beauty and well-being TOP TIPS & ROUTES www.ok-tourism.cz www.jeseniky-tourism.cz www.strednimorava-tourism.cz Paths of beauty and well-being The publication you are holding will introduce you to the treasures and attractions of two tourist destinations in the Olomouc Region: Central Moravia and the Jeseníky Mountains. Central Moravia offers unique monuments, Hanakian traditions, and the JESENÍKY MOUNTAINS City of Olomouc, the administrative and cultural centre of the region, CENTRAL while the mountain landscape of the Jeseníky Mountains is the perfect MORAVIA spot for relaxation, sports, and recreation. In the following pages, you’ll discover the links between the two destinations – paths that will bring you experiences in the form OLOMOUC of unique beauty and a variety of relaxing holiday activities. So choose your path and REGION OLOMOUC welcome to the Olomouc Region! To learn about everything the Olomouc Region has to offer, check out www.ok-tourism.cz Olomouc Region Card – Tourist discount card Get to know the Olomouc Region for much less with the Olomouc Region Card. The card offers free or discounted entry to nearly 200 sights in the region. Check out www.olomoucregioncard.cz for more information. Content : The most beautiful treasures The Jeseníky Mountains of Central Moravia ................4 Untouched natural paradise ........22 Olomouc Pearl in the heart of Europe . 6 Hiking in the mountains ............24 Let yourselves be tempted by Experiences and adrenaline ........26 a diverse selection ................8 Skiing for everyone ...............28 Biking, golf, and tennis... ..........10 Winter fairy tale ..................30 Published by: Olomouc Region Enjoy the variety .................12 Witch trials and more ..............32 Jeremenkova 40a, 779 11 Olomouc, 2014 E-mail: [email protected], www.kr-olomoucky.cz Wandering through nature .........14 What you’ll find nowhere else .......34 Designed, written, and prepared by: m-ARK Marketing a reklama s.r.o. Linking health and relaxation .......16 The Jeseníky Mountains Železniční 4, 779 00 Olomouc, www.m-ark.cz Culinary delights and traditions .....18 healing mountains ................36 Photography by: m-ARK Marketing a reklama s.r.o., I. Netopil Map by: Jan Machovský, Print: Printo Ostrava You’ll never be bored ..............20 For locals and tourists alike .........38 3 2 Tip 2: Tovačov Château The most beautiful Don’t miss the Tovačov Château when you visit Central Moravia. The truly exceptional view treasures of 1 3 from the nearly 100-metre tall 4 “Graceful Tower” showcases 5 2 various bodies of water and the woodland meadows Central Moravia surrounding Tovačov. The Moravian Bike Route runs along ponds from Olomouc to Kroměříž and further to South Moravia. Tip 1: Bouzov Castle Bouzov Castle is the king of fairy tales and looks like a medieval Tip 3: Šternberk Castle Tip 4: Works of art, a rare collection Náměšť na Hané Château seat – which is why it Památky of wooden sculptures, and When you feel the need for is frequently used for a unique set of tiled stoves are silence and relaxation, visit this filming. During peak some of the highlights of this French-style Classicist château. season, the castle castle. If you come to the town in It is located in the centre of offers fascinating June or September, you’ll a circular park, and houses tours and exciting experience the thrill of the unique collections. CENTRAL Moravia events. famous Ecce Homo motor race. CULTURAL TOURISM Tip 5: Helfštýn Castle – Located near Central Moravia welcomes visitors with the wide- the town of Lipník nad Bečvou, the medi- open gates of its fairy-tale castles and châteaux. The region eval Helfštýn Castle charms tourists with features an extraordinary concentration of these unique castles its exceptional size. During peak season, a range of diverse events are held at the and châteaux. There is a different event every weekend. The castle, including Hefaiston, the famous many festivals, fairs, and fencing tournaments make these ideal international gathering of blacksmiths held destinations for short and longer stays alike. We present five every August. You can reach the castle destinations here, but other châteaux such as Plumlov, Čechy by car; below the castle you’ll find a high pod Kosířem, and Úsov are also definitely worth visiting. ropes park that is fun for all ages. 5 4 No other city in Moravia will charm you as much as OLOMOUC AND SURROUNDING AREA CENTRAL Moravia Olomouc with its impressive history and 100,000 inhabitants. It is a city of palaces, churches, and Baroque fountains. In addition to rare monuments and romantic hideaways, the city offers several unique cultural experiences Olomouc and entertainment. Discover them for yourselves! Tip 2: Holy Trinity Pearl in the heart Column – a UNESCO monument The significance and of Europe number of Baroque monuments in Olomouc has given rise to the phrase “Olomouc Baroque”. The top monument is the Holy Trinity Column, which is listed among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites due to its extraordi- nary dimensions and the complexity and scope of its sculptural decorations. Tip 3: Svatý Kopeček Tip 4: Olomouc Forts Looming over Olomouc, In the past, Olomouc was Svatý Kopeček is one of the a town within a fortress. most popular outing and The fortifications were under pilgrimage destinations of construction for hundreds the region. It provides ideal Památky of years and these works conditions for hiking, biking, culminated in the 19th and relaxation. The dominant century with the building feature is the Church of the of a unique ring of forward Visitation of the Virgin Mary sconces. You can visit many from the 17th century, which of the remaining buildings. was visited by Pope John Paul II. Tip 1: Tip 5: Original museums Religious monuments Olomouc is a city of remarkable Given the nearly 1,000-year- museums. The Archdiocese old history of the Olomouc Museum is the only museum of its bishopric, religious monuments kind in the Czech Republic (photo). The Veteran Arena is the largest dominate the city’s attractive private yet publicly accessible environment. One such monu- museum of vintage cars; the Regional ment is the Cathedral of St. Museum in Olomouc houses more Wenceslas, the main church than a million items, and is thus of the Olomouc diocese which among the largest museums can hold up to 5,000 people. in the Czech Republic. 7 6 Let yourselves Tip 2: Úsov be tempted Hunting-Forestry Museum The Úsov Château offers a hunting-forestry by a diverse museum truly unique in Central Europe. It exhibits nearly 10,000 stuffed exotic and local animals, hunting selection and poaching weapons, and other items. Tip 1: Čechy pod Kosířem A village near Prostějov with a châ- teau surrounded by a romantic park and two museums. The Tip 3: Uničov Tip 4: Příkazy 2 Firefighters’ Museum 5 Šatlava (Manor Jail) Hanakian open-air 4 is one of the largest 3 The penal museum museum firefighter museums 1 The Royal City of Uničov The museum features an original in Moravia, and the is dominated by a neo-Renais- Hanakian pub and an exhibition Museum of Carriages sance town hall, and the former jail of tools, machines, and toys. and Lanterns is the building is home to an interesting The open-air museum is part of only museum of its exhibit, the Prison Museum. the Rural Conservation Area. CENTRAL Moravia kind in the Czech Republic. CULTURAL TOURISM Tip 5: Šternberk Each region is characterised by sites that Exhibition of Time demonstrate its uniqueness. Central Moravia A cutting-edge interactive exhibit is full of such sites. You will stand in awe before where you can immerse the skills of the Czech nation. Come and indulge yourselves in space and time. yourselves with the wide range of monuments, and You will understand the differences between calendars in different take your experiences home with you, as hundreds cultures and the development of of thousands of others have done before you. the oldest clock, as well as the principles of time measurement. 9 8 Biking, golf, and tennis Biking, golf, 1 5 3 4 and tennis 2 Tip 2: Bečva Bike Trail The Bečva Bike Trail is an ideal opportunity to experience the Mora- vian Gate, which connects Central Moravia with Moravian Wallachia and Silesia. At 160 kilometres in length, the trail leads along the River Bečva and links Přerov, Lipník nad Bečvou, and Hranice all the way to Wallachia. Tip 1: Biking Central Moravia has a route to suit every- one. The route choices are many: you can ride along the beautiful route from Olomouc Památky to Šternberk (also Tip 3: Adrenaline Rush Tip 4: Where Wimbledon suitable for in-line Adrenaline lovers can take winners start out skaters) or try one of advantage of the high rope centres Central Moravia, Prostějov, the more difficult bike or bouldering walls. There are also and Přerov are well-known trails leading to the the exciting bobsled tracks and birthplaces of tennis talents. surrounding hills. tandem jumps at the largest centre Some of them have reached CENTRAL Moravia in Central Europe. the top in their tennis careers. ACTIVE TOURISM Tip 5: Golf Central Moravia is not only a region full of monuments and Central Moravia offers sights. It also offers an attractive range of summer several golf courses. For activities. There are two long-distance bike trails and instance, there is an 18-hole golf course with a driving gradually developing bike trails for families with children. range and club-house in the You can also play golf or tennis in a renowned tennis slightly hilly terrain near the school where Wimbledon winners are born. The adven- village of Véska. turous can experience adrenaline if they try the bobsled track or a tandem jump.