Svitavy

The history of the largest town in the region dates back to the middle of the 13th century. It was founded in close proximity to important merchant routes between Bohemia and Moravia.

You will feel like you are reading an architecture textbook as you stroll around one of our longest squares, which is decorated with half-timbered burgher houses of many different styles from the Renaissance to the 20th century. Among the most interesting buildings in the town centre are the red former town hall and the neighbouring U Mouřenína House. The oldest burgher house in Svitavy, dating from 1554, now houses an information centre. You will also be surprised by the unusual architecture of the Ottendorfer's House, where today you can visit the Esperanto Museum, the only one of its kind in the Czech Republic. In the neighbouring building of the municipal museum, you can see a variety of exhibitions for the whole family. The permanent exhibition Grandma's Laundry will take you through the history of washing and laundry technology. You will be fascinated by the large mechanical nativity scene, which is a real gem of the museum's collections. You will also learn about the story of Svitavy native Oskar Schindler, who became the main character in Steven Spielberg's Oscar-winning film Schindler's List. If you want to see the historical centre of the town from a bird's eye view, climb the tower of the Church of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary.

After that, you can go to popular recreational areas on the outskirts of the town. You can walk through the Waterworks Forest on wooden paths and footbridges that provide access to an attractive area with spring water. The trail is complemented by information boards and interactive elements for children.

At the other end of town, you will find the varied offer of the Brand Forest Resort. There are hiking and cycling trails, an outdoor gym and a fitness trail. You can relax in the wooden gazebo at the Memorial of Queen Bees or enjoy refreshments on the banks of the Rosnička Pond, where you can take a boat ride. A novelty especially for children is the Sváťa's Adventure Trail. Eight stops with interactive elements are connected by the fairy tale story of the enchanted Swan Princess. The pleasant walk, during which children will help to save the Swan Princess and have a lot of fun, is nearly two kilometres long.

The best of Svitavy

Municipal Museum and Gallery
Municipal Museum and Gallery
Municipal Museum and Gallery

A wide range of interesting facts about the life of the town, its personalities and the whole region is presented by the museum in Svitavy. Do you know what Oskar Schindler is famous for, when the first automatic washing machine was made or how big the famous local carved nativity scene is?

Historic centre
Historic centre
Historic centre

You can enjoy a unique show of architectural styles if you visit Svitavy. One of the longest squares in the country will take you through history from the Renaissance and Baroque through Classicism and Art Nouveau to 20th century architecture.

Museum of Esperanto
Museum of Esperanto
Museum of Esperanto

The history of the origin and current use of the international language Esperanto is be presented by the only museum of Esperanto in the Czech Republic. The cultural experience is enhanced by the charming Ottendorfer House, where the museum is located.

Jan Palach Park with a Memorial to Oskar Schindler
Jan Palach Park with a Memorial to Oskar Schindler
Jan Palach Park with a Memorial to Oskar Schindler

The park in the vicinity of the splendid Langer's Villa is full of quiet corners suitable for relaxation during a sightseeing walk. There is also a Memorial to Oskar Schindler, which is situated directly opposite his birth house.

Waterworks Forest
Waterworks Forest
Waterworks Forest

The attractive environment of the forest with springing water is accessible by wooden walkways and footbridges. The path through the forest will introduce you to the local fauna and flora. A number of interactive elements provide fun and education for your children.

Brand Forest Resort
Brand Forest Resort
Brand Forest Resort

Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. You can enjoy a moment of peace and active relaxation in the area by the Rosnička pond with an outdoor gym, fitness trails, cycle paths and routes for wheelchair users. There is also a Mother Bee Memorial with a resting gazebo.

Sváťa's Adventure Trail
Sváťa's Adventure Trail
Sváťa's Adventure Trail

Set out with the elf Sváťa to rescue the enchanted Swan Princess. Enjoy eight interactive stations and lots of fun!

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Visit in the surroundings

Lookout Tower of Jára Cimrman in Březová nad Svitavou
Lookout Tower of Jára Cimrman in Březová nad Svitavou
Lookout Tower of Jára Cimrman in Březová nad Svitavou

Views of the Svitava River valley and the surrounding countryside open up from the lookout tower, which is hidden in the woods near Březová nad Svitavou. During the climb to the lookout tower you can enjoy the forest rope park.

Town walls in Polička
Town walls in Polička
Town walls in Polička

Take a walk along the massive medieval walls that still guard the centre of the royal dowry town of Polička. More than 1,200 metres long Gothic fortification with 19 towers is unique in the whole of Central Europe.

Hřebeč Mining Trails
Hřebeč Mining Trails
Hřebeč Mining Trails

Take a walk with Hugo, the mining elf, through the history of mining in the Hřebečský Ridge area. Hiking and cycling trails are complemented by lookout towers and viewpoints.

Moravská Třebová Chateau
Moravská Třebová Chateau
Moravská Třebová Chateau

Expositions of the Moravská Třebová Chateau, often called the pearl of Renaissance architecture, will guide you through the history of the town. You may even be a little scared when you visit the medieval torture chamber and the alchemical laboratory in the cellars.

Mladějov Narrow Gauge Railway
Mladějov Narrow Gauge Railway
Mladějov Narrow Gauge Railway

You can visit the kingdom of steam locomotives, trucks and many different machines in the Mladějov museum. The highlight of the visit will be a ride on a narrow gauge train to the former mines on Hřebečský Ridge.

Svojanov Castle
Svojanov Castle
Svojanov Castle

Shrouded in medieval legends, the royal castle of Svojanov will tell you many secrets of ancient times. Stroll through the Gothic gardens, visit the Empire Palace and the Armourers' House. The castle tower offers you a breathtaking view of the Křetínka River valley.

Litomyšl Castle - UNESCO
Litomyšl Castle - UNESCO
Litomyšl Castle - UNESCO

A small piece of Italy seems to have been imprinted into the architecture of Litomyšl's Renaissance jewel. The castle, which will enchant you with thousands of sgraffito decorations on the facade and a unique Classicist theatre, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999.

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