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’.
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.
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.
...and where next...?
Jaroměřice nad Rokytnou, Jihlava, Polná …
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