Czech-Moravian Highlands
This region occupies the high, undulating territory between Bohemia and Moravia, and offers visitors one of the most pristine environments in the entire country. History has bequeathed the region a number of impressive monuments, three of which have been recognised by UNESCO as World Cultural Heritage Sites. These are the historical centre of Telč, the Church of St John of Nepomuk on Zelená hora near Žďár nad Sázavou and the Jewish quarter and the Basilica of St Procopius in Třebíč.
The main settlement in the region is Jihlava, once a silver mining town, which can boast a beautiful old centre and underground passageways measuring 25 km, the second longest network in the country. We also shouldn't forget to mention Pelhřimov, the self-declared ‘town of records and curios' where record-breaking attempts are regularly held, some of which make it into the Guinness Book of Records. Nearby stands Gothic Kámen Castle housing an exhibition of motorbikes.
Where to from boredom...?
Třešť
The 200-year-old tradition of carving nativity scenes is the subject of the local museum, which houses examples old and new. At the synagogue visitors can see an exhibition dedicated to the Jewish community and Franz Kafka who used to spend his summer holidays in the town.
Telč
The historical centre of this town, which now features in the UNESCO list of World Cultural Heritage Sites, has a charming square lined with Renaissance and Baroque houses resting on pretty arcading. The chateau and fountain are well known for their role in the fairytale fi lm, ‘The Proud Princess’.
Nové Město na Moravě
The best known skiing resort in the Highlands Region lies on the southern edge of the Žďárské Hills. The Old Town Hall building dating from 1555 is home to the Mountain Sports Museum, with a display dedicated to the history of the Czechs favourite winter sport.
Žďár nad Sázavou
The pilgrimage Church of St John of Nepomuk at Zelená hora is a fi ne example of the blend of Baroque and Gothic style employed by the architect, J. B. Santini. This too is protected by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site.
Třebíč
Along with the town’s Romanesque-Gothic Basilica of St Procopius, the amazingly well preserved Jewish quarter with more than 100 houses, two synagogues and a cemetery has been recognised by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site.
