In Search of the Beauty of the South A GUIDE TO THE REGION Content: Mikulov A place full of experiences . 4 Monuments and culture Traces tens of thousands of years old . 6 Natural beauty Did you know that Captivating views, green vineyards the mammoth constituted a wel- and water reservoirs . 8 come, but exceptional part of the diet of Stone Age man? The idea that these animals were hunted by Wine-making and gastronomy driving them towards a dug pit is A region of a thousand fragrances purely a product of literary fantasy and fl avours . 10 and would have been practically impossible. So how did the people hunt mammoths? How did they live Active tourism and what were their concerns? You On the move through the region can visit the archaeological exhibits below the Pálava Hills . 12 in Pavlov and Dolní Věstonice to fi nd the answers to these and many more questions. Relaxation, Welcome to the region! Mikulov Welcome entertainment and pleasure The Mikulov area full of fun . 14 Towns in the region Something interesting around every corner . 16 The Mikulov area is a region of many faces and excellent experiences. You can visit historical monuments, the ruins of sentry castles and the magnificent Mikulov Chateau. You can see the many areas of natural beauty in the Pálava Hills or on the surface of the Sedlec fishponds. You can travel through the region by bicycle, in a boat or on horseback. And you can swim in the “Moravian Sea”, directly under Pálava. You can become acquainted with the thousands of fragrances and flavours of the excellent local wine, which is a symbol of the entire region. The Mikulov area is an ideal destination for your trips and holidays, where you can discover something new in every corner. Come and experience the Mikulov area! A place full of experiences Mikulov is the natural centre of the region. History merges with the present there, ancient The local château has become monuments mingle with modern architecture and local wine is served with traditional the dominant feature of Miku- cuisine. All this, further enhanced by the many unforgettable cultural experiences, lov. The history of the structure creates the town’s specifi c atmosphere, and you are sure to fall in love with it. stretches back to the Middle Ages, when a stone castle stood on what is now Château Hill. It was reconstructed over the cen- turies into a representative aris- tocratic seat that was especially infl uenced by the Renaissance Mikulov and Baroque styles. Visitors can learn about the château’s history and hear the story of its owners at the Regional Museum, which is housed in the château. The unique exhibits in its collections include, for example, a giant barrel from 1643 located in the château cellars. After visiting the château, be sure to take a stroll through the renewed Baroque gardens offering breath-taking views of the town. 4 The Dietrichstein Tomb with its they are recalled in the town remarkable sculptures stands by an educational trail and by directly in the historical centre archaeological fi nds on display of Mikulov. However, the square in the Regional Museum. is literally bristling with heritage buildings. For example, the can- The Na Turoldu Cave, which ons’ houses dating from the 17th forms an almost 3 km long century are located near the labyrinth of underground cor- tomb, while the Knight’s House ridors together with the Liščí with its rich sgraffi to decora- díra Cave, is another attraction tion is also sure to attract your in Mikulov. The guided tour The Centre of Moravian Jewry attention. The entire historical includes the Fairytale Hall, for For centuries, Mikulov was the biggest and centre consists of a monument example. On the surface, there most signifi cant Jewish town in Moravia. You conservation area. This is all is also an interesting geology can still see the monuments to its former glory further supplemented by Holy park that will acquaint you with today. An educational trail leads through the Hill (Svatý kopeček), which is points of geological interest in one-time Jewish Town and will take you, for another signifi cant dominant the Czech Republic. example, to the Upper Synagogue dating to feature of Mikulov. A Way of the Cross leads to the the 16th century with its captivating Baroque top and it is defi nitely worth the walk up, especially However, Mikulov is not only a place of historical decorations. There is a rare ritual mikveh bath during the Marian pilgrimage in September, for monuments, but also a venue for a rich cultural life. nearby. You can also see the largest Moravian example. Not only can visitors view the chapels on There is always something happening in the town Jewish cemetery, a magical place with a capti- the Way of the Cross culminating at the Chapel of from spring to winter. Exhibitions by artists from vating atmosphere in every season. St. Sebastian, a belfry and the Chapel of the Holy all over the world are interspersed with concerts Sepulchre, but they will also be treated to one of of various genres, culinary festivals and folklore Points of military interest the most beautiful views of the town and the wider celebrations. The Mikulov Art Symposium "dílna" has The Prussian military cemetery outside the environs. a tradition stretching back more than twenty years. town recalls the events of 1866, when Mikulov The high point of these cultural events is the annual hosted the signing of an important armistice The town’s rich ecclesiastical past is also recalled Pálava wine harvest, a traditional wine celebration during the Prussian-Austrian Wars. A series of by a trio of churches: the Church of St. Wenceslas, that takes place each year on the second weekend fortresses were established in the Mikulov area the Church of St. John the Baptist and the Church in September. in 1936-1938 as part of an extensive border of St. Nicholas, which is used by the Orthodox defence system. The infantry bunker designat- Church. If you enjoy views of the countryside, Would you like to stop for a while and contemplate ed as MJ-S 29 "Svah" is managed by a group you should also be sure to visit Goat Castle (Kozí life over a glass of excellent Mikulov wine? There is of military enthusiasts and is usually open for hrádek). Mikulov will stretch before you from the a wide range of cafes, wine bars and wine cellars tours of the military equipment. top of this old artillery tower, as if it were in the palm waiting for you, while the local restaurants will pre- of your hand. pare the very best of Moravian cuisine for you. Mikulov was once a cultural crossroads. The town The Town of Mikulov, www.mikulov.cz was not only settled by Jews, but also by Anabap- , www.rmm.cz tists, a Protestant Christian movement. Nowadays, Regional Museum in Mikulov 5 Archaeological fi nds indicate that the Mikulov area was already settled thirty thousand years ago. Internationally renowned locations that have provided a great deal of testimony on life in the Stone Age are located in the environs of Dolní Věstonice, Milovice and Pavlov. Thousands of years later, the area was discovered by the Romans, whose soldiers built a military camp near Pasohlávky. An educational trail above the Pasohlávky camp tells of its existence. Traces tens of thousands of years old The Mikulov region has witnessed many thrilling historical events. The mammoth Monuments and culture hunters in the region were replaced by the soldiers of the Roman legions, massive castles guarded the border in the Middle Ages and the dramatic events of the 20th century also left their mark. 6 The Mikulov area continued in Březí houses Europe’s to play a strategic role in the largest crystal chandelier, Middle Ages, and a system which dates to the second of castles was established to half of the 19th century, protect the regional border. and that St. George’s Mikulov Castle was con- Church in Klentnice is verted into a château, while a signifi cant European the other castles are now Natura 2000 location due The Pavlov only recalled by romantic to its large summer colony Archaeology Park ruins. Děvičky above Pavlov of bats in the church attic? was destroyed by Swedish The newly opened Pavlov Archaeology forces, but it continued to The system of border Park enables you to travel far back into serve a limited role up to the fortresses and redoubts time and to view the lives of the mammoth 19th century. The Orphan built in the 1930s in the hunters. The building immediately catches Castle (Sirotčí hrádek) above Mikulov area is a remnant the eye thanks to its exceptional Klentnice was abandoned of the tumultuous events architectural design, for which it much earlier, probably as of the 20th century. The received an award in the 2016 early as in the 16th century. MJ-S 29 "Svah" infantry Building of the Year competi- The New Castle (Nový Hrad) bunker near Mikulov and tion. From the outside, the above Horní Vestonice was the so-called “vzor 37” light building evokes the limestone destroyed at the end of the fortifi cation near Novosedly cliffs of Pálava, while inside 15th century and only a small are opened to the public it is reminiscent of a prehistoric part of the masonry has been several times a year for cave dwelling. The modern preserved. tours and displays of the exhibit will acquaint you military hardware. with Stone Age life in the Other centuries also left an area below Pálava.