Bohemian and Moravian Borderland

Just the name of this area gives away the fact that we are travelling through a land where Bohemia fades away and Moravia slowly takes over. Even the rivers change direction. The trail leading through the area to the Svitavy District, which winds through undulating hill country, delivers you to the dividing line between the watersheds of Europe (Black Sea/North Sea divide), and from that vantage point there are wonderful views of the surrounding countryside and the town of Svitavy.

Here and there you will come across places where famous people have left their mark – Litomyšl is associated with the composer Bedřich Smetana, Svitavy with Oskar Schindler (whose actions are commemorated with a monument in the Jan Palach Park) and Polička with composer Bohuslav Martinů, who was born there. You can be reminded of another famous person at Nedošínský Wood near Litomyšl, a popular day-trip destination – it is here that part of Jirásek’s ‘Philosopher’s History’ takes place.

Chateau in Litomyšl – This UNESCO-listed chateau has kept its original appearance almost completely intact from the Renaissance era, and that includes its unique sgraffito decoration. It’s claimed that despite having 8,000 sgraffito panels, not a single motif is repeated on any of them.

Chateau at Nové Hrady u Skutče – One of only a handful of Rococo buildings constructed in the style of a French summer palace. The exhibition of period furniture, the Baroque garden theatre and the First Czech Cycling Museum with a wide-ranging exhibition including the oldest velocipedes to modern racing bikes.

Polička’s town walls – Of the town’s 14th-century defensive walls, the main wall, strengthened with 19 half-circular towers, has survived to this day. The defensive walls, which run for 1,220m around the entire historical centre of the town, are some of the best preserved in all central Europe.

Bohuslava Martinů Centre in Polička – Thisinteractive exhibition and archive is housed in the historical building of the former school, which the future composer attended as boy; he also taught violin here after WWI. You can also visit the family’s quarters in the tower of the Church of St James.

Chateau in Moravská Třebová – The courtyard here is one of the best structures of the Late Renaissance era in the Czech Republic. In addition to the traditional exhibition you can also take a peek into the medieval torture chamber and see an interactive exhibition dedicated to M. E. Bonacin and alchemy; You can also see an alchemy laboratory complete with coded recipes and mysterious bottles and containers.

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