Czech Republic Guide
South Moravia
At first sight, the landscape of South Moravia (Jižní Morava) appears little different from that of much of Bohemia, a mixture of rolling hills and dense forests. Only as you move south towards Vienna does the land become noticeably more plump and fertile, with the orchards and vineyards continuing into Austria itself. Brno is the obvious starting point: an engaging city, whose attractions are often underrated due to its heavy industrial base and peripheral housing estates. Brno is also within easy distance of a host of sights, most notably Moravia's karst region, the Moravský kras, which boasts the country's most spectacular limestone caves, and the atmospheric medieval castle of Pernštejn.
Highlights
1 Moravský kras Limestone karst region of caves, underground rivers and gorges within easy reach of the Moravian capital, Brno.
2 Pernštejn Classic hilltop medieval castle with dizzyingly high walls and equally awesome views.
3 Mikulov Quiet border town with a well-preserved synagogue and Jewish cemetery set amid the vineyards of South Moravia.
4 Lednicko-Valtický aréal Former estate of the Liechtenstein family that boasts two fine chateaux, numerous follies, and abundant wildlife.
5 Telč Moravian Renaissance gem with the best-preserved sixteenth-century square in the country, and a chateau to match it.
6 Slavonice Border town with two remarkably well-preserved squares featuring apocalyptic sgraffito facades.
7 Žďár nad Sázavou Star-shaped pilgrimage church on a hill beside a Cistercian monastery built by the Baroque-Gothic architect Giovanni Santini.
8 Kroměříž Set on the River Morava, this picturesque town is dominated by the chateau, art gallery, wine cellars and gardens of the former archbishops of Olomouc.
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