Trip tips on Brno’s surroundings

Brno ZOO (5 km from the centre of Brno)

Brno Zoo is located near the Brno Dam (approx. 1 kilometre). It can be reached by tram from the centre of Brno. One of the major tourist attractions is The Tigers’ Rocks with an enclosure for tigers and leopards. Nearby the enclosure is the Restaurant at Tiger which enjoys a good view of the felines. The Tropical Kingdom offers its visitors the exhibition of fauna and flora from Madagascar, Amazonia, Africa and other areas. The largest enclosure houses The Safari Zoo with giraffes, zebras, ostriches and gnus. In The Children Zoo children can ride ponies, stroke goats, sheep, llamas, and have a good romp about.

For more information visit: www.zoobrno.cz

Brno Dam (6 km from the centre of Brno)

The dam lies on the outskirts of Brno on the Svratka River. It can be reached by tram from the centre of Brno. Local people call it “Prygl”. Both sides of the dam are edged with large forests, and therefore offer lots of opportunities not only for water sports but also for hiking and bicycle touring. It also provides the public with water transport so that they can get to the Veveří Castle, which towers above the dam. Annually, the International Fireworks Competition – Ignis Brunensis - takes place on the dam.

Austerlitz - the Battle of the Three Emperors
(22 km from Brno)

Battle of the Three Emperors was one of Napoleon’s greatest victories, effectively destroying the armies of the Russian Tsar and Austrian Emperor. The armistice was signed on the Austerlitz (Slavkov) Castle. The monumental Baroque castle has 115 rooms. You can visit the historical museum or watch the presentation on The Battle of of the Three Emperors there. The castle’s park ranks among the most valuable historical gardens in Moravia..
The battle took place near Austerlitz (Slavkov ): on the Žuráň Hill, Napoleon had his headquarters. Today, a commemorative plaque depicts the battlefield positions. On the Santon Hill, the French artillery was situated. Today, there is a small white chapel. Below the Santon Hill, the yearly historical re-enactment take place. The Peace Memorial stands on the Prace Hill, it is 26 metres high and inside the memorial is a little chapel with an ossuary.

For more information visit: www.austerlitz.org

Moravian Karst (25 km from Brno)

Moravian Karst is the largest and the most important karst area in the Czech Republic. It is also one of the purest areas with beautiful nature, historic buildings and vast complex of caves. Four of them are open to the public. Punkva Caves are the most popular, which is because of the cruise on the underground Punkva Stream and also the possibility to be on the bottom of the Macocha Abyss.

For more information visit: www.cavemk.cz

Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape
(60 km from Brno)

Part of this landscape is the largest preserved Riparian forest in Europe and a great number of various mansions and castles, colonnades, sculptures and forest temples. It is the largest cultural-natural complex in the world and UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area is interlaced with a complex network of tourist routes and segregated cycle facilities and also with a shipping channel on the Dyje River (Thaya River). Other tourist attractions are, for example, the Lednice Castle and its large landscape park full of surprises, Minaret, Salety – romantic follies, and Valtice Castle.

Town of Telč (96 km from Brno)

Telč is the most well-preserved Renaissance town in the Czech Republic (inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List). Its square is lined with picturesque Renaissance houses of different facades and rich decoration, and therefore, Telč appeared in many fairy tales and films. You can also visit the Renaissance-Gothic castle with magnificent halls.

For more information visit: www.telc-etc.cz