Brno ATTRACTIONS

Brno becomes vibrant in the summer. Its leisure and cultural offer includes exceptional performing arts shows, street festivals, history-packed, city-wide touring itineraries, and exciting sports events.

The following are just a few examples of what the city has to offer. More information about current events are in the Go to brno website: https://www.gotobrno.cz/en/).

The Cathedral of St Peter and Paul

On one of the two dominant hills of the city centre, Petrov Hill, you can admire the Cathedral of St Peter and Paul (Katedrála sv. Petra a Pavla). It is a national cultural monument that is one of the most important pieces of architecture in South Moravia. The interior is mostly in baroque style, while the exterior is gothic and dates mostly from 14th century. You can get an exceptional view of Brno from one of the 84-metre-high towers constructed to the gothic revival designs of the architect August Kirstein between 1901 and 1909.

 

Špilberk castle

The city’s famous castle on the other hill, Špilberk Hill, contains a museum and casemates. It was known as the harshest jail in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The first written mention of the castle dates back to 1277 and it was probably built by Přemysl Otakar II. The castle is surrounded by gardens (park) with various sculptures and monuments. It is an example of living history throughout the year – exhibitions, festivals, concerts and more.

 

Vila Tugendhat

Vila Tugendhat (in UNESCO since 2001) is definitely not to be missed. Architectural purity, interconnection of interior and exterior, timeless technical equipment, noble and exotic materials in a high level of preservation.This iconic house was built in 1929–1930 for Greta and Fritz Tugendhat to a design by the German architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Its history is at least as fascinating as its cultural significance. Book your tour in advance!

 

Labyrinth under the vegetable market

A mysterious underground maze through the oldest cellar spaces of Brno. This labyrinth of passages and cellars, located up to 8 metres below the cobbles of one of Brno’s most enchanting squares, will lead you down into the Middle Ages, when cellars were used instead of refrigerators.

 

 

Ossuary at the church of st James

The number of discovered remains makes it the second largest in Europe, right behind the catacombs of Paris. Situated beneath St James’ Church, the ossuary is a place of remembrance with a mystical atmosphere. It was used for interring the skeletal remains of graves, which were then freed up to bury others.

 

 

Water tanks under Žlutý kopec

Mysterious underground cathedrals offer an experience like from another world of long-lost civilizations or computer games. Bricks for the construction were fired here in Brno, and the structure was erected without recourse to steel, wood or reinforced concrete, which meant employing various types of arch, which give us today the striking impression of an underground labyrinth. Works were finished in 1872 and the reservoirs ceased to operate in 1997, when they were disconnected from the water supply network.  

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Denis atomic bomb shelter

Nearly a kilometre of interconnecting passages carved into the rock below Petrov Hill. A network of vaulted passageways, forming a rectangular plan approximately 85 x 60 metres in area, provided 4-days’ shelter for up to 3,000 people in the event of a nuclear explosion.

 

 

10-Z Bunker

Brno’s most secret communist-era hide-out for the select few. Originally an anti-aircraft shelter, built below Špilberk to withstand allied bombardment in WWII, the site was refurbished as an atomic bomb shelter in 1959. It was designed to hold up to five hundred people for three days.

 

 

Cellar under the new town hall

Incredibly exciting Brno’s history brought to life. Tales like from your grandpa mixed with virtual reality. Currently you can visit the brand new Fiery Horse and Dragon exhibition.

 

 

 

Lapidarium at Špilberk castle

The first publicly accessible water tanks in Brno. They were made during 1870-71 and 1900 to hold water for the city and were used until the 1920s. You’ll find preserved fragments of the Gothic King’s Chapel from the beginning of the 14th century. The oldest precisely dated artefact is the gravestone of Rector Albert Crosna from 1399 from St Nicholas Church, which stood on Freedom Square and many more.

 

Capuchin crypt

The final resting place of more than one hundred and fifty Capuchin friars. Naturally mummified bodies of friars and Baroque painted coffins. The crypt is below the Capuchin church Relic of the True Cross on the picturesque Capuchin Square in the heart of Brno. In was used in years 1656-1784.

 

 

 

Veveří castle

Castle Veveří, one of the larges castle grounds in the Czech Republic, was created gradually during its almost 800-year history. The first written mention about the castle is from 1213. Among other purposes, the castle also served as a place of royal supervision over the settlement of territories upstream of the river Svratka. You can go directly to the castle by boat on the Brno’s Dam which is popular recreatinal area surounded by vast forests.