Třebíč dates from 1101 when a Benedictine monastery was established here. Thanks to its position on the banks of the River Jihlava and the munificence of its founders the city became an important centre for religious life and education. Today it is an important economic, administrative, political and cultural centre in south-west Moravia. The city offers a wide range of active recreation opportunities in the picturesque environment of the foothills of the Czech-Moravian Vysočina (Highland) region. The city was once a centre of Jewish culture in Moravia and the uniquely preserved Jewish Quarter bears silent witness to the cohabitation between Jews and Christians in this city. When we take our tour we will go to the Jewish quarter and the Basilica of St. Prokop, which were inscribed in the UNESCO list in 2003.
Tour of the City We begin our tour at the thirty-five metre tall city tower. From here we have an excellent view of the historic city centre. From the tower we walk down Hasskova Street to Karlovo náměstí, past the Malovaný dům (painted house) and the statue of Sts. Cyril and Methodius and we walk down the passageway to the pedestrian boardwalk and to the Jewish quarter. As well as the tortuous little streets and passageways we shall visit the Zadní (Rear) synagogue where there is an exact model of the Jewish quarter as it appeared in 1850. Afterwards we enter the Hrádek wooded park, where there is a beautiful view of the city from the Jan Žižka mound. From here we visit the Jewish cemetery and then the former Benedictine monastery dating from 1101, which was later rebuilt as a château. The château grounds also include the Basilica of St. Prokop and the Muzeum Vysočiny (Highland Museum) where our tour comes to an end.
To the mills on the River Jihlava it is an easy walk for a family with children. From the city centre we follow the red route in the opposite direction of the flow of the River Jihlava. We pass by the Říční lázně to Poušov and then to Palečkův mlýn in Sokolí, where there is a wine bar with refreshments and a possibility to do some horse riding. We can return via the same route, or we can go by train from the station in Krahulov to Třebíč.
From Třebíč by bicycle We can ride around the city's surrounding area and its relatively easy terrain. Of the many options available, we would recommend that you visit the nature reservations at Ptáčovský kopeček and Kobylinec near Trnava. More experienced cyclists can extend the ride to Budišov, where the Renaissance château and its extensive park is worth a visit.
To see the River Jihlava area you need a car, and we begin at the goat farm in Ratibořice. Other places we can visit include the château in Jaroměřice nad Rokytnou, the Dalešice brewery with its brewing exhibition, the information centre at the Dukovany nuclear power station, the Mohelenská hadcová steppe, the Hartvíkovice beach or the Babylon lookout tower near Kramolín. We can then complete our trip at the Náměšť nad Oslavou château.
To see the UNESCO monuments in the Vysočina region you need a car, and it will take up a weekend. Am imaginary triangle with sides approximately 40 km in length connect the historical centre of Telč, the Pilgrimage Church of St. John of Nepomuk at Zelená hora in Žďár nad Sázavou and also the Basilica of St. Prokop and the Jewish Quarter in Třebíč. We can find accommodation in any of the aforementioned places.
The Rokytná Stream Valley connects Moravský Krumlov and Ivančice. It is a romantic valley under the steep hills of puddingstone and the famous Krumlov-Rokytná puddingstone natural reservation. In Moravský Krumlov we can also visit the Slavonic Epic exhibition by the world-famous art-nouveau painter, Alfons Mucha.
The Valleys of the Rivers Oslava and Chvojnice can be seen on a more demanding trip through the National Natural Reservation of the Valleys of the Rivers Oslava and Chvojnice. It takes you on a rocky path just above the rapidly-flowing river and the leafy forests with their unforgettable views into the deep river valleys. We can complete our trip with a visit to the château at Náměšť nad Oslavou and end up at the monument to the Kralice Bible in Kralice.
The Valley of the Brtnička Stream is an undemanding walk, suitable for families with children, which takes you from Přímělkov or Dolní Smrčné to the extensive ruins of the Rokštejn castle. From there we continue along the Brtnička valley to the small town of Brtnice. The Renaissance château is worth mentioning here, as are the two baroque bridges across the River Brtnička and also the museum of the Viennese architect Josef Hoffmann in his family home.
Mohelenská hadcová steppe and the ruins of the Templštejn castle is a walk of medium difficulty, which takes you from Mohelno to the natural reservation with its unique flora and fauna. From here we go through the romantic Na Babách rock formations to the ruins of the Gothic Templštejn castle which dates from the end of the 13th century, high above the Jihlava river valley. The castle was built by the Knights Templar.
The Dalešice Dam can be seen from the Vysočina steamer, which goes from Kramolín and takes you to the dominant feature of the Jihlava valley, the Wilson Cliff, and back. During the journey your attention will be grabbed by the romantic rocky river banks with remains of medieval castles. You can end your trip with a swim and refreshments at the Hartvíkovice beach.
