Olomouc

Olomouc, a city of more than 100 000 citizens and the sixth largest city in the Czech Republic, lies right in the heart of Moravia, of which it was the former capital. It is home to an ancient university, the archbishopric, philharmonic orchestra, many museums, theatres and clubs, and the venue for a host of interesting events and festivals. For hundreds of years, Olomouc has been one of the most important settlements in the Kingdom of Bohemia. A rich past has endowed it with a magnificent collection of historical treas- ures, making Olomouc the second most extensive urban conservation area in our country after Prague. The original medieval Astronomical Clock, transformed in the spirit of socialist realism after WWII, is globally unique. Other sights include the Trinity Column – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, six master Baroque fountains and the charming modern Arion Fountain. There are also numerous reminders of the famous military history of the former Olomouc Fortress. The entire city is encircled by a ring of forts, preserved to this day in an almost unchanged form. In the beautiful city parks, you can find remnants of medieval city fortifications and the Crown Fortress, today a lively cultural centre. Olomouc is definitely worth a visit!

Do you know that…

… the Holy Trinity Column has been a UNESCO site since 2000?

… St. Wenceslas Cathedral boasts the highest church tower in Moravia and the second highest tower in the Czech Republic? One of the three Cathedral towers is 100.65 metres high?

… Olomouc Town Hall has been serving its original pur- pose for more than 600 years?

… on the Upper Square, there is a bronze model of the city, providing a bird’s eye view of the historical city centre?