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Olomouc and Helfštýn Heritage Cities and Living History

tourism.olomouc.eu Accessibility: 282 km from Prague

by train from Prague 2 h 5 min by bus from Prague 4 h by car from Prague 2 h 42 min

Target group: Pleasure seekers: without children, families with children

The spiritual capital of Moravia, the proud city of Olomouc, where Czech entries in the UNESCO World Heritage List began, a city full of unique sacral buildings situated near the largest medieval fortress in Europe, the sturdy and dignified Helfštýn castle, which once guarded the Moravian Gate on the Amber Trail – all this is an unparalleled treasury full of historical gems and powerful experiences.

Olomouc The Spiritual Capital of Moravia The number of historical monuments, sacral buildings and palaces in Olomouc is hard to believe. No other Czech town has so many churches and chapels relative to its population. In the 1990s, they were personally visited by Pope John Paul II and Mother Teresa. In the Gothic Cathedral of St. Moritz, you can hear the oldest church organ in Central Europe. In Klášterní Hradisko, you can visit the largest independent monastery in Moravia. The stunning Baroque Holy Trinity Plague Column, protected by UNESCO, is the largest sculpture in the Czech Republic. You will be captivated by the Archdiocesan Museum, the country’s first exhibition focusing on spiritual culture and the sole Czech holder of the prestigious European Heritage Label, and the Archbishop’s Palace, a Baroque building of extraordinary significance. Climb up above the town to the Baroque pilgrimage Basilica of the Virgin Mary on Svatý Kopeček. Marvel at a unique group of six Baroque fountains and visit the highly popular zoo… You will soon see why Lonely Planet placed Olomouc at the top of its list of most beautiful, less known European destinations. Enjoy Baroque festivals, admire classical music at Dvořák’s Olomouc and the International Organ Festival, take a ride though the town in a mobile beer bar or on quad bikes, or sail along the river Morava on a boat or raft. You will also find a festival dedicated to the most famous local delicacy tvarůžky of Olomouc – excellent ripened cheese, renowned beer from one of the local craft breweries, Beerfest or Garden Food Festival…

www.helfstyn.cz Accessibility: 305 km from Prague

by train from Prague 3 h 15 min by bus from Prague — by car from Prague 3 h

Target group: Pleasure seekers: without children, families with children

Helfštýn Castle Amber Trail Guardian The extraordinarily extensive Helfštýn Castle complex, a medieval fortress unparalleled in Europe, towers above the river Bečva about 30 km from Olomouc. The castle once guarded the Amber Road connecting the Baltic coast to the Mediterranean Sea, so its fortifications were very extensive and refined. It is surrounded by a moat, with another three inside its grounds, it has two parallel defensive ramparts, five courtyards, towers, six chamber gates, numerous strongholds, a renaissance palace and more. The truly rugged fortress is also well-accessible thanks to an observation platform and a system of circular bridges. You will feel like you have been transported straight to the Middle Ages. The castle has a stirring atmosphere, especially during any of its numerous events from historical and musical events to theatrical and very specific events. Helfštýn is one of the main centres of European artistic smithery. The Hefaiston International Gathering of International Artistic Blacksmiths, which attracts 500 blacksmiths from around the world, has been held here for almost forty years. It is therefore no surprise that you will come across metal sculptures at almost every step. These will delight adults and children alike. Worksheets are also available for children. Add a historical mint with coining demonstrations and an archaeology exhibition displaying findings from the castle grounds from the 13th to 17th centuries, night-time guided tours and even an archery tournament; a visit to Helfštýn is certainly not an everyday experience.

tourism.olomouc.eu www.helfstyn.cz Olomouc region: www.ok-tourism.cz Archbishop′s Palace: www.arcibiskupskypalac.cz Archdiocesan Museum: www.muo.cz St. Wenceslas Cathedral: www.katedralaolomouc.cz St. Michael Church: www.svatymichal.cz/cs Svatý Kopeček: www.svatykopecek.cz ZOO garden: www.zoo-olomouc.cz