Brno Sightseeing

At the heart of this city lies the charming Old Town, where visitors can find the best atmosphere Brno has to offer along with most of its attractions. Only Prague has more museums and art galleries. While the vast majority of visitors to the Czech Republic stick to the capital, those who do venture down to Brno won’t be completely disappointed.

Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady
This is considered to be one of Moravia’s real gems of Gothic architecture. Queen Eliska Rejcka was responsible for building the Cistercian convent in 1323, which evolved into the present complex. The biggest claim to fame of this church is that Johann Gregor Mendel discovered his theory of genetics while living in the monastery in 1868. Pope John Paul II elevated the old church to the status of Basilica minor in 1987.

Brno City Museum
One of Brno’s more interesting museums is actually a complex encompassing three of the city’s most famous landmarks, each of which offers a mini-museum of its own focusing on relevant subjects. Foremost is the Spilberk Castle and Fortress, which emphasises strongholds, forts and prisons of medieval Moravia. The Menin Gate holds temporary exhibits on a rotating basis, while the Villa Tugendhat focuses on the movement of modern architecture and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001.

Moravian Regional Museum
One reason to visit this regional museum is to check out the lovely Dietrichstein Palace, which dates back to 1620 and was originally used by the Russians as they planned for the battle of Austerlitz. Inside the palace, visitors are treated to a wide range of exhibits showcasing the Moravian region. Local art, coins and other rotating displays, complement the huge collection of stuffed animals and birds which are native to Moravia.

Old Town
Brno’s Old Town is by far and large its greatest highlight, a typical European medieval survivor packed with history and interesting sights at every turn. Given Brno’s 900 years of existence, it adds up to an intriguing blend of architecture and tradition. Easily walkable, the Old Town is where most visitors start their explorations of Brno. Medieval markets, museums and monuments fill in the historical gaps, while new urban cafés, bars and shops provide a welcome touch of relaxation and indulgence. Take your time as you wander the old streets of Brno’s ancient centre because the real gems of this city lie tucked away in the side alleys and around seemingly innocuous corners.

Old Town Hall
The oldest secular building in Brno dates from the 13th century and can be found right in the heart of the Old Town district. Although it no longer plays a role in the city’s politics, the quirky building holds a number of interesting things worth checking out. Two of Brno’s icons can be found here: the Wagon Wheel and the Brno Dragon. Like many of the Town Hall’s details, the Wagon Wheel has a wonderful story behind it involving a local carpenter and an impossible challenge. The Brno Dragon which hangs from the ceiling is actually an alligator bestowed on the city by a neighbouring prince in 1608, but both of these things testify to the wealth of stories behind the city. Relics from Brno’s past are nicely presented on the second floor, while the building itself, a seemingly random mix of architectural styles from the past millennium, is also an attraction. Climb to the top of the tower for one of the best views of Brno available.

St James Church
This classical Gothic church was built during the 15th century and is an excellent representation of the religious building styles which dominated Europe from the 14th through the 16th centuries. One highlight of the interior is the choir section, which has nice Parler’s fan vaulting on the ceiling. The tower, which was completed in 1592, has good views over the city.

The Menin Gate
There were originally five gates which allowed entrance into medieval Brno, which at that time was completely enclosed by an incredibly well-fortified wall. The city’s reputation as a tough nut to crack was due mainly to this wall and the Menin Gate is the only one of the five still standing. One of its roles was the city’s arsenal and home to Brno’s executioner, but today the site is used as an auxiliary exhibition space for the Brno City Museum.

Villa Tugendhat
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a testament to the modernist architectural movement of the 1920s which swept the Moravian region. Originally designed and built by the famous architect Mies van der Rohe, the Villa Tugendhat has been meticulously restored to its original condition both inside and out. All of the furnishings and interior details are also from the period, giving rise to a museum which puts this particular building style in historical perspective. If you have any interest in architecture, you’ll find this house and museum well worth a look.

Discover Brno’s past at Moravian Museum. The oldest museum in the Czech Republic is the best place to go if you want to broader perspective on the history and heritage of Moravia. The second largest museum in the country contains more than six million objects covering every imaginable aspect of scientific and cultural life in the region. Among its components are the Dietrichstein Palace, which presents many aspects of Moravian life from the past to the present; the Bishop’s Courtyard, with its money, medals and fauna exhibits; the Anthropos Pavilion, focusing on the prehistoric side of Moravia; and the Leos Janacek Memorial, presenting the totally preserved workroom of the famous Moravian composer.

Enjoy some culture at the National Theatre. Brno’s most famous theatre is the home of three of the city’s top ensembles: the Brno Ballet, Mahen Drama Troupe and the Janacek Opera. On the grounds are three historical venues where these groups perform throughout the year. Visiting ensembles and theatre troupes also make frequent appearances, so if you enjoy the performing arts, this is the best place to experience Moravia’s finest.

Explore Spilberk Castle. Arguably the busiest attraction in Brno, the ancient Spilberk Castle and Fortress deserves its popularity for a number of reasons. Perched high on a hill overlooking the city, this picturesque castle has worthwhile sights both above and below ground. The castle itself has survived intact since the 13th century, despite having been captured by a number of invading groups over the centuries and is pleasant to explore. But underneath lies a darker side to the structure. In the 18th century, the catacombs beneath were converted into prison cells for French revolutionaries, Czech political prisoners and anyone else deemed a threat to the ruling faction of the day. The Nazis even used it as a torture chamber during WWII, executing some 80,000 people in the dungeons. Today, the prison has been turned into a fascinating museum as part of the Brno City Museum complex. The permanent exhibits shed plenty of light on the otherwise dark subject of torture and imprisonment.

Get arty at Moravian Gallery. For the best look at Moravia’s specific contributions to the world of art, pay a visit to the city’s best art gallery, which also happens to be the second largest of its kind in the country. Every aspect of visual art is presented here, with wonderful exhibitions of photography, painting and sculpture. The emphasis is on Moravian artists, but there are also special visiting exhibits which are always interesting, as well as workshops and performances.

Get close to nature at Denisovy sady. Despite all the factories, smokestacks and dilapidated buildings which make up a large portion of Brno’s urban landscape, the city still manages to keep are few leafy green spaces for the sanity of its residents. This centrally-located park, just behind the Cathedral of Saint Peter and Paul, is among the nicest in Brno. There aren’t many recreation options here other than relaxing in a natural environment and taking a stroll. But if you need a bit of aerobic exercise, the climb from the park up to Spilberk Castle is the best in town.

Go local at Zelny trh (Cabbage Market). This medieval fresh produce market has been around since the 13th century and is still used to sell local vegetables. Located just to the south of the Old Town Hall, there’s much more than mere cabbages for sale here (although that was the original purpose of the market). Vendors set up each day in this small plaza around the old Parnas Fountain. The entire scene is a great reminder of how things all got started in Brno more than 700 years ago. Even if you don’t buy anything, the people-watching and photo opportunities are excellent.

See the mummies at Capuchin Monastery. This is one of Brno’s most popular attractions and is also one of its most gruesome. The Capuchin Monastery has been around for hundreds of years, but what makes it so unique and intriguing are the catacombs which lie beneath. Some of the city’s most famous citizens are interred in the crypts, their bodies protected by a ventilation system which has remarkably preserved the remains. Along with more than 100 monks from the monastery itself, the bodies are displayed in open caskets and are in varying states of decomposition. Their clothes, skin and hair still mostly intact, the catacombs offer a fascinating, if somewhat morbid, experience which can’t be easily found in other places.