. A term that falls like a bolt from the blue when we drive between hilly landscapes richly covered with greenery, sometimes rapeseed and flowering meadows. Here and there, there are still crosses and shrines thrown into the abyss of the fields – stone guardians of the past. (not badly, of course) and make many tourists fall in love with you. Provided that he comes here because he wants to get to know the local culture and history, and not just to “check off” places on the list.
people used to talk about the Upland. It’s worth following the marked trails, but also getting a little lost. Because this – instead they are waiting for you
The region can boast not only beautiful landscapes. Here they are:
– Therefore, if someone is looking for a place away from the crowds, where it is not so noisy, it is worth visiting here. First of all, it is a diverse region, and tourists can travel by car, bus, train, and there are also some bicycle routes – says Václav Prchal, a guide from the Třebíč region.
– I would definitely go outdoors – our region is famous for its natural resources – emphasizes Prchal.
Those who love active recreation can try their hand at a walk in the forest near the peak of Žákova hora. There is also an offer for fans of water sports – they are recommended here
– It is beautiful in the Upland region all year round, but if we want to participate in cultural events, it is best to visit us from April to October – adds Prchal.
Although Iglava can be a great base for trips to various parts of the Upland, it is worth considering a weekend stay in a town located in the western part of Moravia, between Iglava and Brno.
The town is an ideal choice for people who like to wander around the winding streets, even without a specific sightseeing plan. Here, at every step we can find something that will attract our attention – regardless of whether it is a 12th-century monument or a café or pub. In the case of the latter, it is better to check the opening hours in advance – cafe and pub life dies down here quite quickly.
That’s why Small houses, cobblestone streets, flowers climbing the walls, views straight from postcards… It may seem that way. However, if we want to know what is hidden behind its walls, it is really worth visiting a few places and taking a closer look at their stories.
This is the main city square surrounded by tenement houses – in its center there is a sculpture of St. Cyril and Methodius. It will certainly attract your attention. The decoration of the facade makes it stand out from other buildings. Right next to it, leading upwards. It was established in the 14th century, when the town obtained city rights. Until 1716, it was a separate building, part of the city’s defense system.
The city’s origins are related to the founding of a Benedictine monastery in 1101. The list of important monuments includes a monumental Romanesque-Gothic church with a castle. The raw walls of the temple contrasting with the colorful Romanesque rosette decorating the apse make us travel back in time. The interior is impressive –
Adjacent to the northern part is a rectangular Romanesque vestibule, in which there is a. At a time when the temple was used for secular purposes, it was walled up. It was unveiled again in 1862. In the northern aisle there is an abbey chapel decorated with wall paintings from the 12th century. Fun fact: . The basement of the basilica hides a Romanesque crypt with a groin and ribbed vault.
A must-see during your city tour is the Jewish quarter. Tourists can also visit a house built in the 18th century, located near the synagogue. This is a chance to see how the inhabitants lived at that time: the interior has a kitchen and a bedroom, and you can also enter the Jewish shop located on the ground floor.
Next to the synagogue there is a quite steep path, which you can climb to the hill where there is the largest cemetery of this type in the Czech Republic.
Now we are going to the city that has been described as “fairy-tale-like”. Legend has it that it was founded in 1099. In the 14th century, the Vítkovc family came here and built a castle, a church and houses around the square. Unfortunately, a fire destroyed them. And then, after many, many years, he appeared: Zacharias of Hradec. The man was one of the participants in the expedition of Czech nobles to Genoa. Houses in this style began to appear on the main square, and the palace also underwent a metamorphosis.
And it is this square, surrounded by colorful tenement houses and arcades with cafes and shops, that the city is famous for. Since Wysoczyzna can be associated with the “Czech Tuscany”, we can confidently say that Telč is a place where we will discover the “Italian Renaissance”. There are many charming streets leading from the market square, just begging for you to wander around them.
In the castle, it is worth seeing the rooms of its last inhabitants, a library, and a cloakroom with a collection of historical clothes and accessories. In the Golden Hall, it is worth looking up – there are coffers with sculptures above our heads. In the room we can also see paintings presenting Zachariah’s ancestors. During your visit, it is also worth visiting the palace gardens.
Let’s move on. This next place in the Upland region will surely impress you. Huge impression. It is inextricably linked with music – thanks to Jan Adam von Questenberg, a traveler and patron of art who lived at the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries. , currently the Peter Dvorski international opera festival takes place here.
Tourists can visit the music lounges, the ballroom, the Chinese Cabinet and the Terrena Hall with the Roman baths located nearby. Around the palace there is a French-style park, which turns into an English-style park located on the Rokitna River.
The palace and park are not the only gem in this place – an integral part of the castle is the Baroque building from the first half of the 18th century. Inside, the attention is drawn to the wealth of decorations, especially the huge dome on the vault. In the middle of the last century, the temple was in a deplorable condition. It was then saved thanks to Dean Václav Küchler and local parishioners. The last renovation of the temple took place in 2022 and included, among others: mentioned fresco. On the other hand
Another picturesque point of the Vysočina tour is the town located in the central part of the Bohemian-Moravian Massif. This
However, before we can admire the Czech treasure from the UNESCO list up close, we have a short climb ahead of us. However, it is worth making the effort – even in the pouring rain – and seeing with your own eyes the unique architecture of one of the most original buildings in Europe. Why? Everything has to do with a certain legend.
According to reports, he was tortured for a long time and later his body was thrown from the Charles Bridge in Prague into the Vltava River. – from that moment on, the mentioned number and star are considered symbols of the saint.
The legend so inspired Santini that he decided to translate it into the language of architecture. There’s a lot of symbolism here, and almost everything has to do with the number five. The temple is also located in a horizontal projection on a five-pointed star. In the nearby monastery there are five gates, five chapels, and in the church there are five altars. There are five stars on the main one.
And finally, another interesting fact: when a special commission examined the saint’s body in the 18th century, its members found that his tongue was well preserved compared to other parts of the body.
Apparently the church in Zielona Góra has still not revealed all its secrets to researchers –
At the foot of the church of St. John of Nepomucen there is a Cistercian monastery, built in 1252. At the end of the 17th century, there was a great fire here. In the next century, the building was rebuilt according to Santini-Aichel’s design. However, when a fire broke out in the monastery again, the abbot asked Emperor Joseph II Habsburg to close it. Since then, it has been used as a palace.
In 2015, an interactive facility was opened in the building of the former palace brewery. It is worth traveling back in time and following a designated route through the interior of the facility. Don’t forget to take a walk through the castle gardens –