CZ: Brno – The Most Entertaining City in Czechia, When You Know Where to Go… II – VIDEO

The visit to Brno without going up to Špilberk is like travelling to Paris without seeing Montmartre. Yes, even in Paris you can "cheat" - the bus 81 rides up to the castle walls from April to September. So, what can you actually see up there. Firstly, there is the Brno City Museum. Many events take place there, every weekend during the season. The fortress was used as the most severe prison in Austria-Hungary. Large part of the permanent exhibition is devoted to this era. You can visit unique casemates. You can walk in the vast park around the fortress which also hold beautiful flower garden. The view of Brno is worth it as well.

Go back to Jostova street. Buy a small snack, step on "salina" no. 9 or 11 (as they call streetcars in Brno) in the direction to Certova Rokle (Devil's Ravine). Don't worry, you won't go actually to hell. Once you get off at Tomanova stop walk to the famous functionalist Villa Tugendhat. If you want to look inside you need to reserve a tour upfront- it is usally sold out in the season - so mind this. If you were not lucky and didn't get inside the villa, still take a look around in this functionalist-style borough. It is worth it.

On your way back to the historical district, go down Schodova Street and cross popular Luzanky Park. Then step on a streetcar (on Lidicka street). Or you can walk through one of the most beautiful streets in Brno - Kpt. Jaros ave. It is line with lime trees and beautiful 19th century town houses. It is about two kilometers from the historical district in city center.

It is possible you have already noticed strange thing in the shape of a penis. This one is allegedly an astronomical clock yet nobody knows how to recognize what time it is. Still, many visitors surely will remember it. A glass ball falls out from it every Saturday at 11 o'clock. Usually, there is a large crowd and eventually, Japanese fight over a ball with children.

We have a secret guide for you how to ride time off this astronomical clock. Stand to it so it is behind your back and you can see a house with beautiful frescoes and flags of Student Agency company (it resides there). Do fifteen long steps and look to the right slightly up... It works at any day or night hour.

So, you know it is getting late. Therefore, it is the highest time to get soem taste of students' life in the heart of Moravia. First of all, make a stop on small Jakubske Square. Every Thursday and Friday (in winter as well) it is vibrant with life. There is a small Vycep Na Stojaka where they sell tap beer. Inside, the staff is more numerous than the guests for they usually stay outside. They can taste delicious beer made by small Bohemian, Moravian and Slovakian breweries as well as something to eat.

There are two theme and perfectly designed cocktail Bars which made Brno famous. Bar which doesn’t exist and later founded Super Panda Circus. Everybody can have here what they like. No wonder they are constantly full to their capacity. This is not just about gourmet experience – the staff takes care of you as if you were royalty in England. Try it!

In case you intended to stay longer in Brno, more than one or two days (which is what we recommend) we add couple of places where to go:

• The Assumption of Virgin Mary basilica, Mendel square
• Veveri castle and Brno dam
• Svitava Valley between OBrany and BIlovice nad Svitavou
• Krtiny chateau
• Kamenny Vrch and Masarykuv Haj
• Hvezdarna a Planetarium Brno
• Rajhrad
• Marianske Udoli and Jeskyne Pekarna

And, indeed, we can add beautiful Moravsky Kras where the Macocha Propast abyss, and karst caves. There is also Palava and large wine-growing region of south Moravia. You get everywhere fast from Brno. And everybody will find here what they like.

GPS: (Svobody square) 49°11'44.3"N 16°36'28.8"E

Text, photos, and video: Matouš Vinš

Music: SONGO 21