CZ, South Moravia – Baroque All Around

Please accept our invintation for a Baroque trip which will introduce you to magnificent aristocratic mansions, monumental churches, cloisters, little chapels, or ways of the cross. You will walk on the land ruled by important noble families and church orders during the 17th and 18th century. These became the richest investors after the battle on the White Mountain. To buttress their positions they built opulent chateaux, and vast church compounds with richly decorated churches inside them. They called to south Moravia important architects, painters, sculptors, stucco worker, and musicians mostly from Italy, France, or the royal court in Wien.

Therefore, we can see and enjoy Baroque-style sights across the entire region. There is much to see in Brno alone besides churches. There is the underground below Nova Radnice and Pod Zelnym Market, underground ossuary by St Jacob, and the dark casemates at Spilberk Castle

South of Brno, there is Mikulov with its amazing Baroque architecture. Mikulov is considered as an example of north Italian architecture in Moravia. The Dietrichstein family used it as their family residence. Moreover, there was a significant jewish community throughout the Baroque-era and beyond. The Lednice-Valtice cultural landscape (which is protected by the UNESCO) is in the near vicinity. Wine cellars of Pavlov are part of the local landmark reserve.

If you set out west of Brno you must see Vranov nad Dyji chateau on a rocky protection in the beautiful region of POdyji. Be sure to stop in Znojmo. There explore vast underground (including an adrenaline trail), the former Deblinsky chateau, majestic Baroque-style cloisters in Louka, and Hradiste.

There are many important places of pilgrimage outside of Brno. For instance, Krtiny which is related to the missionaires Cyril and Methodius, Sloup by Macocha, or Vranovsky church where the tomb of the House of Lichtenstein. The chateau in Rajec nad Svitavou is an amazing example of the French-style Baroque architecture. Both Lomnice u Tisnova chateau and its grounds show the village urbanism. The preserved Baroque pharmacy in Letovice, chateau interior and gardens in Lysice are all worth your attention.

Other Baroque gems are right in the outskirts of Brno – "Little Versailles“ in Slavkov u Brna or Milotice, the latter has amazing and game park. There are mostly wine cellars in the Area 63 which is situated in Petrov-Plze village. It is very close to Straznice the location of the well-known opena air museum showing the dwellings of our ancestors in southeast Moravia. You can see traditional crafts in the smithery in Tesany. It is built in Baroque-style, of course!

Baroque is simply all around in south Moravia! (http://baroko.jizni-morava.info)

INFOBOX

We remember the 300th anniversary, in 2017, of the birth of Maria Theresa. This year is recognized as the "The Year of the Empress" in Europe. The Czech Republic's theme is "Baroque – through all the senses".

Author: Centrála cestovního ruchu – Jižní Morava, z.s.p.o.

Photos: Archiv CCR-JM