CZ, Slavonice – A Tour in the City and Surroundings

We go through the individual workshops until we reach the "our" one. Imagine a pond with a table and chairs. Paint and brushes on the table and you're ready to go. First we choose the right shape and size and get to work.

And now back to Slavonice, where a guided city tour awaits us. We will be the first to visit the tower of the parish church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. The view of the old center is quite attractive, but there are around 180 steps waiting for you.

Then we head to the Renaissance house from the 16th century, where the owner himself will welcome us. Inside are beautiful preserved vaults. It is said that many houses are so beautiful, some go "normally". However, because of the covid, people are afraid, so they do not let visitors into their homes.

We cross the square and continue to the cemetery chapel of St. Cross from the early 18th century. We have an advantage, our guide has the key, so we can see the beautiful interiors. The last reconstruction took place relatively recently, during 2014, when, among other things, the masonry of the chapel was drained and dried. The Baroque frescoes inside are really beautiful, if there is an opportunity, be sure not to miss the tour. By arrangement in the information center, this is possible even without a guided tour.

We will return to the square along the preserved fortifications. We will see the Jemnice Gate, we can also enter. We will walk to the Upper Square, which is decorated, for example, by the building of a former brewery from the 16th century with its sgraffito facade and other picturesque houses enhanced by Renaissance elements. We walk through a small alley right next to the Jemnická gate to Jana Švermy Street. We walk around the building of the former synagogue to the Dačice Gate. Originally a Gothic gate, it is decorated with a Baroque tower, and even here it is possible to enter and look out of the windows towards the square.

But there were plenty of views from a height, you can also peek underground.

If you have enough time, go to the surroundings. In the village of Nová Říše, visit the reconstructed Premonstratensian monastery of the Virgin Mary. He was looted by the Hussites several times, and was even razed to the ground during the second attack. However, the nuns did not give up and, as far as possible, tried to restore the church. The following years were not easy either, it burned down, it was also a stock of medical supplies, and since 2015 it has been open to the public.

We also recommend visiting Dačice. It boasts two castles - the so-called Old (now the seat of the town hall) and the state castle Dačice, for which the nickname "New" was adopted. The noble Dalberg family plays an important role in its history. At the beginning of the 19th century, Karl Anton Maxmilian Dalberg was responsible for the extensive reconstruction of the chateau into a very comfortable residence for his family. He did not forget the interiors, and even had a large English park built. And that's not all. He significantly helped the economic growth of the city, it also has its share in other attractions of this locality, he co-founded the local sugar factory, where in 1843 the first sugar cube saw the light of day.

At the chateau you can now walk the basic sightseeing tour, which are private and representative rooms of the Dalberg family, the clock building houses the Municipal Museum and Gallery, where, among other things, there is a permanent exhibition of the history of the world's first sugar cube.

Speaking of the first sugar cube from Dačice, you can also go to the monument dedicated to this deed, you will find it in the park near the Renaissance tower of the church of St. Lawrence.

In the end, we took a walk along the Stations of the Cross to the top above Dačice, where replicas of three original crosses rise. From here you have a very nice view of the historic city center.

GPS: 48°59'52.7"N 15°21'04.8"E

Text and photos: Magdaléna Radostová