Discover 35 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Brno (Czech Republic). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Villa Tugendhat, Špilberk Castle, and Veveří Castle. Also, be sure to include Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Brno (Jihomoravský).
Table of Contents
Villa Tugendhat
Also known as: Vila Tugendhat
Restored 1929 modernist house and gardens. Villa Tugendhat is an architecturally significant building in Brno, Czech Republic. It is one of the pioneering prototypes of modern architecture in Europe, and was designed by the German architects Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich. It was built between 1928 and 1930 for Fritz Tugendhat and his wife Greta, of the wealthy and influential Jewish Tugendhat family. Of reinforced concrete, the villa soon became an icon of modernism. Famous for its revolutionary use of space and industrial building materials, the building was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2001.[1]
Address: Cernopolni 45, 613 00 Brno (Brno-sever)
Špilberk Castle
Also known as: Špilberk
13th-century castle and city museum. Špilberk Castle is a castle on the hilltop in Brno, Southern Moravia. Its construction began as early as the first half of the 13th century by the Přemyslid kings and complete by King Ottokar II of Bohemia. From a major royal castle established around the mid-13th century, and the seat of the Moravian margraves in the mid-14th century, it was gradually turned into a huge baroque citadel considered the harshest prison in the Austrian Empire, and then into barracks. This prison had always been part of the Špilberk fortress and is frequently referenced by the main character, Fabrizio, in Stendhal's novel, The Charterhouse of Parma.[2]
Address: Špilberk 210/1, 602 00 Brno-Brno-střed (Brno-střed)
Veveří Castle
Also known as: Veveří
13th-century castle with restored rooms. Veveří is an originally ducal and royal castle in Brno in the Czech Republic. It is located about 12 kilometres northwest of Brno city centre on the Svratka River.[3]
Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul
Also known as: Katedrála svatého Petra a Pavla
Cathedral dating from the 13th-century. The Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul is located on the Petrov hill in the centre of the city of Brno in the Czech Republic. It is a national cultural monument and one of the most important pieces of architecture in South Moravia. The interior is mostly Baroque in style, while the impressive 84-metre-high towers were constructed to the Gothic Revival designs of the architect August Kirstein in 1904–5.
In the 14th century, the Cathedral was rebuilt on an earlier construction as a three-nave Gothic basilica.[4]
Address: Petrov 268/9, 602 00 Brno (Brno-střed)
Church of St. James
Also known as: Kostel svatého Jakuba Staršího
Historic Catholic church and ossuary. Saint James` church is a late Gothic three-nave church situated in James' square in the centre of Brno, in Czech Republic. Its history starts in the beginning of the 13th century. The church was categorized as a national monument in 1995.[5]
Address: Jakubské nám. 101/2, 602 00 Brno-střed-Brno-město (Brno-střed)
Brno Zoo
Also known as: Zoo Brno
Zoological garden in Brno, Czechia. Brno Zoo, is a zoological garden, located in Brno in the Czech Republic.
In 2000, Brno Zoo became member in World Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
The zoo is involved in captive breeding of endangered species coordinated by the European Endangered Species Programme like the Sumatran tiger, giant Hispaniolan Galliwasp, Przewalski's horse, as well as locally threatened species like the Czech owl called the little owl, barn owl or rare rodent species the European ground squirrel and Eurasian beaver.[6]
Address: U zoologicke zahrady 147/46, 635 00 Brno
Janáčkovo divadlo
Theatre in Brno, Czech Republic. Janáček Theatre is a theatre situated in the city of Brno, Czech Republic. It is a part of the National Theatre in Brno. It was built from 1960 to 1965, and opened in October 1965. During its existence, the theatre has premiered around twenty operas and ballets.[7]
Address: Rooseveltova 1/2, 602 00 Brno (Brno-střed)
Mendel Museum of Masaryk University
Also known as: Mendelovo muzeum Masarykovy univerzity
Museum in Brno, Czech Republic. Mendel Museum has been an institution of Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic, since 2007. The museum was established in 2002 with the international co-operation of a number of organizations. The principal role in the creation of the museum itself was played by the Austrian society VFG and affiliated scientists and patrons. The museum is located within the precincts of the Augustinian abbey in Old Brno, where the abbot and scientist Gregor Johann Mendel lived and worked.[8]
Address: Mendlovo nám. 1a, 603 00 Brno-střed (Brno-střed)
Capuchin Crypt in Brno
Also known as: Kapucínská hrobka
Historical landmark in Brno, Czech Republic. The Capuchin Crypt in Brno is a funeral room mainly for Capuchin friars. The crypt was founded in the mid 17th century in the basement of the Capuchin Monastery in the historical centre of Brno. The bodies of people buried there turned into mummies because of the geological composition of the ground and the system of airing. Near the entrance of the crypt rests the body and relics of St Clementaine, an ancient Roman noblewoman.
Under a poverty vow, Capuchin friars believed coffins to be a luxury. The mummies are today considered a tourist attraction but are also useful for scientific research.[9]
Address: Kapucinske namesti 303/5, 602 00 Brno (Brno-střed)
J. A. Komenského
Also known as: Českobratrský evangelický chrám Jana Amose Komenského
Evangelical church in Brno, Czech Republic. The Red Church is a Protestant Church in Brno, Czech Republic. It was designed by architect Heinrich von Ferstel and built up between 1863 and 1867. Nowadays it is used by the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren. The building is a cultural monument.[10]
Address: Komenskeho Namesti 218/4, 602 00 Brno (Brno-střed)
Brno Ossuary
Also known as: Brněnská kostnice
Brno Ossuary is an underground ossuary in Brno, Czech Republic. It was rediscovered in 2001 in the historical centre of the city, partially under the Church of St. James. It is estimated that the ossuary holds the remains of over 50 thousand people which makes it the second-largest ossuary in Europe, after the Catacombs of Paris. The ossuary was founded in the 17th century, and was expanded in the 18th century. It's been opened to public since June 2012.[11]
Address: Jakubske namesti, 602 00 Brno (Brno-střed)
Church of St. Thomas
Also known as: Kostel svatého Tomáše
Catholic church in Brno, Czechia. The Church of Saint Thomas and the Annunciation is a historic church in Brno, Czech Republic.
The church was founded in the middle of 14th century by John Henry of Luxembourg, Margrave of Moravia, with active support of his brother Charles IV. Roman Emperor, originally as part of an Augustinian monastery. After six years of work the church was consecrated (March 13, 1356) by the Olomouc Bishop Jan Očko of Vlašim in the presence of King Charles IV, suzerain of John Henry. Margrave John Henry and his son Jobst of Moravia, titular King of the Germans, are buried here – in the tomb in front of the main altar. John Henry's second consort, Margaret of Opava, reportedly is buried here, as well.
In the south nave is located famous example of polychromed stone statue in high Gothic style, known as Pietà of Saint Thomas
Current baroque appearance dates back to the second half of the 17th century when the church was repaired and rebuilt after severe damage caused by the Swedish siege of Brno during the Thirty Years War.
The architect Adolf Loos was baptized in the church on 1 January 1871.[12]
Address: Moravské nám. 1, 602 00 Brno-střed (Brno-střed)
Mahen Theatre
Also known as: Mahenovo divadlo
Theatre in Brno, Czech Republic. Mahen Theatre is a Czech theatre situated in the city of Brno. Mahen Theatre, built as German Deutsches Stadttheater in 1882, was one of the first public buildings in the world lit entirely by electric light. It was built in a combination of Neo-renaissance, Neo-baroque and Neoclassical architectural styles.[13]
Address: Malinovskeho namesti 571/1, 602 00 Brno (Brno-střed)
Anthropos
Museum in Brno, Czechia. Anthropos is a museum located in the city of Brno, South Moravia, Czech Republic. The museum is a part of the Moravské zemské muzeum. It focuses on exhibitions presenting the oldest history of Europe and mankind. In a 2009 exhibition, the museum presented the most important art works of the Paleolithic era, such as Venus of Willendorf and Venus of Dolní Věstonice.[14]
Address: Pisárecká 273/5, 603 00 Brno-střed-Pisárky (Brno-střed)
Stránská skála
Nature preserve in Brno, Czech Republic. Stránská skála is a hill and refers to a Mid-Pleistocene-Cromerian interglacial most important paleontological site in Central Europe. It is situated in the eastern part of Brno, Moravia near the city districts Židenice/Juliánov and Slatina, dating to approximately 600,000 BP, as supported by paleomagnetic dating. It is a 1,500 m long and 400 m wide hill, built from Jurassic limestone, especially Callovian-Oxfordian, built from light brown Caleidocrinus mostly and Brachiopoddes and Coral and more other types of limestones rich of fossil fauna as well. Stránská skála hill is located in Bohemian Massif : Bohemian Massif and Carpates. Its northwestern slope is composed from karstified limestone cliffs in which numerous fossiliferous fissures and caves were found. Approximately 48 meter of this slope are covered by complex talus fan.
At this place extensive excavations were made by paleonthologist Rudolf Musil and his colleagues in 1956–1968 which yielded rich paleothological material, including Homotherium moravicum teeth and approximately 1600 bones and bone fragments of birds from 23 families, 51 genera and 68 species. Earlier (1943) were Ursus deningeri discovered, an later rich spectrum of coastal animal fossils such as ostracods, bivalves and fishes. The other terrestrial fossil animals are represented mostly of snakes. The site is unique in that it has been a particularly abundant source of prehistoric artifacts (especially stone tools) dating from the Acheulean period, ower Bohunician to Neolitics and Eneolitics, which spanned roughly 27,000 to 20,000 B.C. In addition to the abundance of various stone tools were discovered also fireplaces (the older one 250.000 BP).[15]
Moravské zemské muzeum
Regional history in 17th-century palace. Moravské zemské muzeum is a museum in Brno in the Czech Republic. It is the second-largest and second-oldest museum in the country. Its collections include several million objects from many fields of science and culture.[16]
Address: Zelný trh 6, 659 37 Brno-Brno-střed (Brno-střed)
Museum of Romani Culture
Also known as: Muzeum romské kultury
Cultural institute in Brno, Czech Republic. The Museum of Romani Culture is an institution dedicated to the history and culture of the Romani people. It is situated in Brno, Czech Republic.[17]
Address: Bratislavská 246/67, 602 00 Brno-střed-Zábrdovice (Brno-střed)
Reduta Theatre
Also known as: Divadlo Reduta
Theatre in Brno, Czechia. The Reduta Theatre is a theatre in Brno, Czech Republic. It was built on the city's oldest square, Zelný trh) and began its life in Renaissance times as the Taverna Theatre. In 1767, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart performed with his sister in a concert there. It is now part of the National Theatre in Brno. The building, which was first mentioned in 1608, is the oldest theatre building in Central Europe.[18]
Lužánky
Park in Brno, Czech Republic. Lužánky is the largest city park in Brno and the oldest municipal park in the Czech Republic. The park is located in the Brno-střed District and covers an area of 22.3 hectares.[19]
Address: Pionyrska 792, 602 00 Brno (Brno-sever)
Moravian Gallery in Brno
Also known as: Moravská galerie v Brně
Museum. The Moravian Gallery in Brno is the second largest art museum in the Czech Republic, established in 1961 by merging of two older institutions. It is situated in five buildings: Pražák Palace, Governor's Palace, Museum of Applied Arts, Jurkovič House and Josef Hoffmann Museum. Since 1963 the gallery has organized the International Biennial of Graphic Design Brno.[20]
Address: Husova 535/18, 602 00 Brno (Brno-střed)
Parnas fountain
Also known as: Kašna Parnas
Fountain in Brno, Czech Republic. The Parnas Fountain is a fountain in Zelný trh square in Brno, Czech Republic. It is one of the most notable water fountains and baroque architectural monuments in Brno. It is a landmark of the square, located roughly in the middle of the square. Designed by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach, it was built in 1690–1695 by Adam Tobiáš Kracker of Vienna.[21]
St Thomas's Abbey
Also known as: Starobrněnský klášter
Monastery. St Thomas's Abbey is an Augustinian church located in Brno in the Czech Republic. The geneticist and Abbot Gregor Mendel was its most famous religious leader to date, who between 1856 and 1863 conducted his experiments on pea plants in the monastery garden. His experiments brought forth two generalizations which later became known as Mendel's Laws of Inheritance.
The Abbey is unique amongst modern Augustinian foundations because it is not called a priory, and indeed it has an abbot (Prälat - prelate) whereas all other existing Augustinian friaries are led by a prior.[22]
Denis gardens
Park, Relax in park, View point
Address: Denisovy sady, 602 00 Brno (Brno-střed)
AZ Tower
High-rise building in Brno, Czechia. The AZ Tower is a high rise building in the city of Brno, Czech Republic. Although sometimes referred to as a skyscraper, it does not meet the generally accepted definition of one, as the tower is only 111 m tall, and it has 30 floors. It is currently the tallest building in the Czech Republic. Construction of the building commenced in 2011 and completed in April 2013. The building has a floor area of over 17,000 m2. It is utilized for office, retail and residential purposes.
The AZ Tower is located on Pražákova street in the city district Brno-center. M-Palace and Spielberk Towers are located near the building. The Spielberk Tower B used to be the tallest building in Brno until the AZ tower was built.[23]
Address: Pražákova 1008/69, 639 00 Brno-jih-Horní Heršpice (Brno-střed)
Freedom Square
Square
Address: Namesti svobody 1, Brno (Brno-střed)
Kristek House
Building in Brno, Czechia. Kristek House is a building on the corner of Tišnovská and Trávníky Streets in Brno, Czech Republic that was transformed into a monumental assemblage by the Czech sculptor, painter and action artist Lubo Kristek. Kristek created the work between 2015–2017.[24]
Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady
Also known as: Bazilika Nanebevzetí Panny Marie
Temple in Brno, Czech Republic. The Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady in Old Brno Abbey is a high Gothic, monumental convent temple. It was founded in 980-1020 by the unknown lord or monarch in Moravia. It was built on the site of an ancient sanctuary from the late 10th century in a short time in the years 1323 to 1334 at the instigation of Queen Elizabeth Richeza. It is the best preserved stylistically coherent and unified temple in Lands of Bohemian crown.[25]
Měnínská brána
Měnínská Gate is the only preserved city gate in Brno located in Orlí Street near Malinovské Square. Its origins date back to the 13th century, when it formed part of the Brno city walls. After reconstruction in the late 1970s, which adapted the building for exhibition purposes, the Brno City Museum manages the gate building and uses it as an exhibition space. Together with other remnants of the city fortifications, the Měnínská Gate has been protected as a monument since 1964.
Address: Měnínská 7, 602 00 Brno-střed (Brno-střed)
Palace Moravia
Also known as: Palác Morava
Historical landmark in Brno, Czechia. Palace Moravia is a building in City of Brno, Czech Republic.
In 1926, an architectural competition for the model of a hotel was announced. This was supposed to be built on a place of former music-hall building. World-known architects, including Peter Behrens and Jacobus Oud participated in this contest, alongside home-born architects. Eventually, this place was built over by Arnošt Wiesner by a slightly different complex of buildings. He had to face up to not only a ground plan difficult parcel but also geologically poor sub-soil. During the design, he also worked with structural engineer Jaroslav Valenta.
In the bottom part of the building, there was a commercial zone, a basement cinema, and a bar. A coffee lounge is situated on the first floor with a large terrace attached to it. Thanks to the genial natural lightning in the top area of the building, Wiesner dedicated this part to residential apartments. A contrast of reinforced concrete and raw brickwork is also very interesting. Later, Wiesner linked the building of Moravská zemská životní pojišťovna (Moravian Life Insurance Company) to the whole construction. The project was finally completed in 1936.[26]
Address: Malinovského náměstí, Brno (Brno-střed)
Brno City Theatre
Also known as: Městské divadlo Brno
Theatre in Brno, Czechia. Brno City Theatre is a repertoire theatre in Brno, Czech Republic, that focuses on dramatic and music production, mainly musical theatre. The building of the theatre is located on Lidická street in town square Brno-center. It has two acting areas – dramatical scene and musical theatre scene. As of 2011, the manager and director of the theatre is Stanislav Moša, art manager of the musical ensemble is Petr Gazdík and operetta manager is Igor Ondříček.
The MdB is one of the theatres with very good ensemble and wide audience.
There are many different art pieces in both of its musical and dramatic repertoire, lot of space is dedicated for many new works, which are often written directly for MdB. The theatre also has its own orchestra, so the audience can experience live scenic music.[27]
Address: Brno, Lidická 16, 602 00 Brno
National Theatre Brno
Also known as: Národní divadlo Brno
Theatre. The National Theatre Brno is the major theatre house in Brno. It was established in 1884 and modeled on the National Theatre in Prague.
It now consists of three stages:
- Mahen Theatre (drama), originally the German-language Theatre on the Walls (construction finished in 1882), the first theatre building on the continent with electric lighting (designed by Thomas Alva Edison himself).
- Janáček Theatre (opera, ballet), a modern building from 1961 to 1965. Zdenĕk Neverla was appointed general director of the Janáček Opera House in 1990.
- Reduta Theatre, the oldest theatre house in Central Europe, recently reconstructed. In December 1767 the twelve-year-old Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart gave a concert there.
Palác šlechtičen
The Palace of the Nobility is a building in the centre of Brno, one of the exhibition buildings of the Moravian Museum. It is the seat of the Ethnographic Institute of the Museum of Moravian History.
The building is located in the city centre, in the northeast corner of Brno's Svobody Square, on the corner of Kobližná and Běhounská streets.
Address: Kobližná 1, 602 00 Brno (Brno-střed)
Vila Löw-Beer v Brně
Villa Löw-Beer is an Art Nouveau villa in Brno-Cerné Pole built between 1903 and 1904 according to a design by architect Alexander von Neumann for industrialist Moritz Fuhrmann. The villa was occupied between 1913 and 1939 by the family of Alfred and Marianne Löw-Beer, the parents of Greta Tugendhat. The villa and its garden are open to the public.
Address: Drobného 297/22, 602 00 Brno-sever (Brno-sever)
Moravian Library
Also known as: Moravská zemská knihovna
Library in Brno, Czechia. Moravian Library is the second largest library in the Czech Republic. Located in Brno, Czech Republic, it is a universal research library and the regional library of the South Moravian Region.[29]
Underground reservoirs in Žlutý kopec
The Underground reservoirs in Žlutý kopec are located between Tvrdého and Tomešova street on Žlutý kopec. The first of the historic reservoirs was built in 1872 to improve the quantity and quality of Brno's water supply. The reservoir was supplemented with another similar one at the end of the 19th century, and two decades later by a third reservoir consisting of two concrete tanks. The reservoirs remained in operation until 1997, when they were disconnected from the water supply network.
In autumn 2019, an entrance was built to allow access to the reservoirs, but has so far only been used for operational purposes. In the same year they were declared a cultural monument. In July 2020 the first underground reservoir was open to the public.[30]