Znojmo
The city of Znojmo was built on
a steep hill above the river Dyje
where it leaves deep valleys to
flow through a flat landscape.
There used to be a significant
Great Moravian settlement on
the opposite side. Interestingly,
grape seeds were found in one of
the tombs there which shows the long tradition of grape growing
in the region. We will never find
out if wine was made back then
or whether it was just consumed
as luxury fruit.
The beauty and history of the town will enchant you
A city started
to develop below the Znojmo
castle and was promoted to
a royal city in 1226, prompting
an unprecedented growth. After
a devastating fire at the end of the 15th century, the city was rebuilt
in Renaissance style that can still be seen today and made it
declared an urban heritage site.
As a royal city, it had fortification
walls and was never invaded, apart
from the Thirty Years War when it
surrendered to Swedish troops.
Even the Hussite troops failed to
conquer it. Remarkably, a third of
the city walls has been preserved
to this date. The historic centre
features many notable sites,
including the Romanesque
rotunda of St. Catherine with
interior paintings depicting the origins of the Czech state. St. Nicholas’s church, dedicated to
the city’s patron saint, recently
celebrated 900th anniversary. The Gothic town hall tower is the city’s
landmark and offers spectacular
views. The most visited monument
are the underground corridors that
were originally built as a refuge
in case of danger. There are several trails available, including
adventure ones that involve
crawling through water and very
narrow parts. You can explore
Znojmo on a tourist train with
a tour guide, departing from the Louka monastery where you can also find the visitor centre of
Znovín, the biggest winemaking
company in the region. No visitor
should miss out on walks through
romantic alley ways of the ancient city.
Not to be missed in Znojmo
Historical monuments:
Romanesque rotunda of St. Catherine, Znojmo castle, St. Nicholas church, town hall tower, Znojmo underground, city walls with tower tours,
Renaissance city centre, Minorite monastery, Louka monastery with winemaking and barrel making museum, St. Wenceslas church with a crypt, Great Moravia museum in Hradiště, House of Arts.
Technical monuments:
Museum of Motoring, railway viaduct, beer-making exposition.
Winemaking:
cross-vault cellar in Přímětice, Louka monastery, Vlk's tower and Rajská vineyard with wine tasting, Vinotrh wine market in the brewery, VOC Znojmo wine festival (8
th May).
Sport:
water sports on the river Dyje, walks in the National Park Podyjí, municipal lido, bowling alleys.
Photo gallery
