Olomouc attractions. The former capital of Moravia. What monuments are worth seeing in Olomouc?

• Olomouc is the former capital of Moravia and one of the most beautiful Czech cities
• You can easily get here by car on the A1 Polish motorway, which smoothly passes into the No. 1 motorway in the Czech Republic, and behind Ostrava, the No. 35 road will lead you to Olomouc. From Upper Silesia we arrived here in 2 hours
• You can comfortably get there by train, Czech Leo express lines, from Katowice or Krakow
• In the Old Town, there is a unique column of the Holy Trinity inscribed on the UNESCO List!
• Be sure to visit the cathedral with the highest church tower in Moravia. It is more than 100 meters high
• A zoo awaits families with children
• This is a very well-kept city, full of monuments and charming places, you will meet a fountain at every step!

Olomouc is a wonderfulcity, one of the most beautiful Czech cities. Some consider it even the most beautiful city in the entire Czech Republic. Olomouc is located in the eastern part, in the heart of Moravia. It used to be its capital, today this honor fell to the city of Brno. Olomouc is the second largest complex of monuments in the country, after Prague, and its beauty is unmatched. Besides, the city is sometimes called Little Prague!

Tourist attractions, or what is worth seeing in Olomouc? A guide to attractions and sights

We spent the whole weekend in Olomouc, so we had a lot of time to get to know the most important monuments and attractions that rise in this city. By the way, we enjoyed its atmosphere, as well as tasted Czech cuisine. In fact, we got to know the center on the first day, and on Sunday we planned a walk to attractions far from the Old Town. The result of our expedition is this guide, showing the most interesting tourist attractions in Olomouc. Among them, you need to get to know the UNESCO World Heritage Site Column, the fascinating cathedral and some spectacular fountains!

Holy Trinity Column in the Old Town of Olomouc

The famous and impressive column stands on the Upper Market Square and is the main decoration of the Old Town. It has been inscribed on the UNESCO List since 2000. The 32-meter-high sculpture is the largest Baroque group sculpture in Central Europe. In its lower part there is a chapel, which is open seasonally.

The column of the Most Holy Trinity is quite impressive, you will find here 18 statues of Saints, 12 figures bearing light and 6 reliefs of the Apostles. The pride of the city's residents is the fact that all the creators who erected the monument, along with the main one - Wacław Render, were citizens of the city.

Astronomical clock in Olomouc

On the northern facade of the town hall on the Upper Market Square you will see the famous astronomical clock. It dates back to the 15th century, and the first mention of it dates back to 1519. It was once Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and the current appearance is the result of changes in the era of socialist realism.

Town Hall on the Upper Market Square, do not miss when visiting Olomouc

A magnificent building standing in the middle of the square. An interesting fact is that it has been serving its original purpose for over 600 years, i.e. it is the seat of the city authorities, the former capital of Moravia. Yes, the first town hall stood here in the fourteenth century, and today it is a four-wing building with an internal courtyard. Its valuable element is the bay window of the Gothic chapel of St. Jerome.

Caesar's Fountain in Olomouc

There are a lot of water sprays in Olomouc, but this one is considered the most valuable artistically. It is also one of the most popular. It presents the mythical founder of the city - Emperor Gaius Julius Caesar. It stands in front of the Town Hall, on the main square of the city.

St. Wenceslas Cathedral, the most important tourist attraction in Olomouc

The stately and impressive historic cathedral boasts the tallest church tower in Moravia and the second highest in the whole of Bohemia. It is just over 100 meters long. This is the third spire, because you can also admire the two-tower facade. The building is one of the most important symbols of the city and an integral part of its panorama. This place is really worth a visit!

The basilica was originally Romanesque and was built in the 12th century. In the following centuries, it was expanded. On the main altar there is a reliquary with the remains of St. John Sarkander, who was canonized in Olomouc in 1995 by Pope John Paul II. At the end of the 19th century, St. Wenceslas Cathedral underwent a neo-Gothic reconstruction designed by Gustav Meretta. Next to the cathedral stands the chapel of St. Anne, where bishops and archbishops of Olomouc were once elected.
Address: Vaclavske nam.

Olomouc Castle

On the same hill of St. Wenceslas, where the cathedral is proudly towering today, the Přemyslid Castle once delighted. Today, you can only admire the remains of the fortress. In the former Chapter House, you can now visit the Archdiocesan Museum.
Address: Vaclavske nam.

St. Maurice Church in Olomouc

If you want to see the city from above, and you don't have a drone, I recommend the Gothic St. Maurice temple in the city center. It offers an observation deck on one of the two towers. They both look completely different.

The sacral building itself dates back to the beginning of the fifteenth century, and at the end of the sixteenth century, an ornate, Renaissance tomb of the Edelmann noble family. In the Baroque era, however, huge organs belonging to the largest in Central Europe were created in the temple. Listen to them best during the annual International Organ Festival.
Address: ul. 8 Kvetna

St. Mary's Column in the Lower Market Square

It is smaller than the one in the main square, but also impressive. It was created in 1713-15, after the plague epidemic. It will be decorated with statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the top and the eight Saints below. Among them is St. Pauline - the patroness of the city.

Fountain of Neptune

This interesting, historic building dates back to 1683. It depicts the Roman god of the seas holding a trident pointing down to protect the city. 
Address: Dolny Rynek

Panska Street

Many streets in Olomouc are charming, and one of the nicest is Panska Street. It is leaving the lower market. Nice townhouses with interesting windows make it a pleasure to walk here. It is such streets connecting valuable monuments that make Olomouc one of the most beautiful Czech cities. A beautiful view and an interesting Instagram photo spot offers the intersection of Pańska and Skolni streets.

St. Michael's Church, a delightful temple

The Early Park temple from the years 1676-1702 stood on the site of a medieval building. The Baroque interior of this temple is stunning. Be sure to look inside here, because it's definitely worth it! An interesting fact is that this is the first Moravian dome building, topped with three domes, the largest of which is 35 meters high.
Address: Na Hrade Street

Chapel of St. John Sarkander

It was created on the site of the former city detention center, where Jan Sarkander - a Catholic priest - was tortured.
Address: Mahlerova Street

Church of Our Lady of the Snows in Olomouc

Walking from the cathedral to the old town, we come across an interesting sacred object, built by the Jesuits in the years 1712-1719. Earlier, there was a Franciscan monastery here. At the beginning, the temple served as a university church, then a garrison church. Since 1952, it has been a parish temple. Its interior, created in the Baroque era, is characterized by great splendor.
Address: Denisova Street

Bezrucovy Park orchards and Botanical Garden

It is worth visiting the green zone of Olomouc, where the Bezrucovy Park, the Botanical Garden and the Rosarium await, and between them numerous walking paths, fortifications in the form of defensive walls and a large waterfall. These experiences are free, but some zones are only open during designated hours, from morning to afternoon.
Address: ul: 17. listopadu

Hradisko Monastery in Olomouc

Hradisko is a magnificent Baroque monastery, which currently serves as a military hospital. Therefore, its interiors are not accessible for sightseeing, but you can enter the courtyards and admire this noble building. The monastery was founded in 1078 for the Benedictines, and in 1150 the Norbertines settled here until 1784. During the Thirty Years' War, the monastery was destroyed by Swedish troops, so new monastery buildings were built in the Baroque style. 

The building is characterized by four wings, decorated with four corner towers and one central and three courtyards. You will find the fortress about 2 km north of the centre of Olomouc, it is a pleasant walk along Sokolovska Street, on the Morava River.
Address: ul. Susilovo namesti 5

Kopecek Sanctuary in Olomouc, Baroque basilica

The shrine in the Svaty Kopecek district is the Basilica of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Olomouc, located very picturesquely on a hill, about 8 km from the old town. The interior of the temple is beautiful, baroque, richly decorated. The magnificent basilica is located on the premises of the Norbertine monastery, which also houses a paid museum. The temple itself is available free of charge.

We got to this place on foot from Hradisko (6 km), but we were already returning by bus to the railway station. Line 11 runs here, and the ride took us about 20 minutes.
Address: ul. nam. Sadove 1

Olomouc Zoo

Behind St. Kopeck, among the greenery, there is the Olomouc Zoo, which is an attractive zoo. Unfortunately, we did not have time to visit it, but we saw it from a drone, through the eyes of our Earth. About 300 species of animals live in the zoo, and giraffes, African ungulates and marine aquariums deserve special attention here. Fascinating here is the huge aquarium of sharks, as well as safaris among animals. The whole is dominated by an observation tower with a height of 32 meters.
Address: 222/29 Darwinova St.

Other monuments of Olomouc

• Fountain of Mercury (8 Floral Street) - the most valuable artistic fountain of the city, Baroque from the 18th century, and more precisely from 1727 
• Hercules Fountain (Upper Market Square) - an interesting sculpture from 1687, depicts a mythical hero holding an eagle in a checkerboard - a symbol of the city
• Arion Fountain (Upper Market Square) - is a modern creation, dating from 2002, illustrates the ancient myth about Arion and complements the set of sculptures from the Baroque period with antique themes
• The Fountain of Neptune (Lower Market Square) - dating from 1683 and depicts the Roman god of the seas holding a trident pointing downwards to protect the city
• Jupiter Fountain (Lower Market Square) - the youngest of the baroque fountains in Olomouc, dates back to 1735
• Triton Fountain (Republic Square) - a beautiful sculpture with a shell, built at the beginning of the 18th century, in 1709, modeled on the Roman fountain "del Tritone" from Piazza Barberini
• Palacký University (Krizkovskeho Street) - Olomouc University, the oldest in Moravia and the second oldest in the whole Czech Republic
• Archbishop's Palace (Wurmowa Street) - an impressive palace standing near the University, impresses with interiors that are available for visiting
• The Palacký University Convent (Univerzitni Street) - one of the oldest parts of the Palacký University and thus one of the most beautiful places in Olomouc, I highly recommend entering the courtyard

Map of Olomouc attractions in Moravia

Below is a map of the city, highlighting attractions and restaurants that we have tried ourselves. You will also find the Hotel where we slept.

Olomouc - the city of fountains

Olomouc impressed us with its beautiful architecture and fantastic weather. We quickly referred to it as the city of fountains, because there are really many of them here! The city charmed me and it was very pleasant to walk around. Here, every street is charming, every tenement house beautiful!

What and where to eat, i.e. restaurants in Olomouc

Over the weekend in this city, we managed to get to know some cool eateries and taste Czech cuisine, with fried cheese at the forefront. There was also a local beer. I will admit right away that I do not like the famous dumplings, so only Łukasz ordered them, and I just tasted them. But first-class fried cheese. 

Olomouc cottage cheese

I also ate potato pancakes with the famous Olomouc cottage cheese. It is not such a white cottage cheese as we know from Poland, but a soft ripening cheese, with a yellow color and a peculiar smell. It is produced without the use of preservatives, only with salt and belongs to dietary dishes, because, interestingly, it has a very low fat content, only 1%. And when you are in the Czech Republic, it is necessary to taste kofoli. It's a kind of local Coke.

And what restaurants do we recommend in Olomouc? We liked Hanacka Hospoda on the Lower Market Square, which serves good local cuisine and is beautifully located. Snyt Mikulda, at 28 rijna street, next to the main square of the city, also turned out to be very tasty and not very expensive. This is where I tasted these cottage cheese. On the upper market square, we can recommend the Opera Pizzeria. These spots won't ruin your wallet.

Accommodation in Olomouc

Spending the weekend in this beautiful city, we slept at the Clarion Congress Hotel and we can sincerely recommend it to you. Its big advantage is the fact that it is located next to the railway station. And as we traveled by train and with 4-year-old Amelia, it was a huge convenience for us. The room offered everything you needed, including an electric kettle and a set of teas and coffees. The window offered a view of the old town. There was a shower in the bathroom. The hotel is clean, with a very rich breakfast buffet. It has a very good price-quality ratio.

Olomouc - interesting facts

• The city hides a UNESCO monument - the Column of the Holy Trinity
• Julius Caesar is considered the legendary founder of the city, hence his image on the Market Square
• The first mention of Olomouc comes from 991. Appeared in the documentary Dagome iudex as Alemure
• At the end of the 10th century, Olomouc was taken over by the Polish prince Mieszko I
• Olomouc and its surroundings are the warmest region in the whole Czech Republic
• In its ranking of 50 European cities recognized as gems, the Lonely Planet tourist guide placed Olomouc in the first place!

Getting to Olomouc by train

Did you know that we took the train to Olomouc? Czech airline Leo express. Economy plus class, with conditions so pleasant that 3 hours of driving fell like the blink of an eye. Driving comfort, cleanliness and service at a very high level. The ticket price includes water, coffee and even a small snack selected from the Menu. We set off from Katowice in the morning and found it a very cool idea for such quick city breaks, even one-day ones. You can take the same train from Krakow. And from the railway station in Olomouc, it is enough to take a walk of several minutes to get to the old town in Olomouc.

How to get to Olomouc by car?

Olomouc can also be reached quickly and pleasantly by car. Thus, in just 2 hours, we found ourselves at the gates of the city, driving to Istria in Croatia. From the comfortable A1 motorway on the Polish side, we smoothly cross the border to the No. 1 motorway in the Czech Republic and drive it near Ostrava further south, and then road No. 35 will lead us to Olomouc itself.

Przemek from Antek's blog accompanied us in Olomouc, see his city guide.
The post was created in cooperation with the Czech Tourist Organization. If you have a weekend off, or even just a Sunday, I highly recommend Olomouc, but also other nearby cities. Visiting Olomouc is best to start with the Tourist Information in the Town Hall, where free materials are waiting to help you plan your route around the interesting places of the city.

Film about Olomouc

We cordially invite you to our film account of your trip to this beautiful city in Moravia!

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What's worth seeing in the area?

You don't have to travel far to find more interesting places. Within a radius of 100 kilometers, there are many attractions waiting for you that will certainly enrich your stay Your trip with additional memories.

• Karlova Studánka in the Czech Republic, distance: 53.4  km
• Praděd in Jeseníky, distance: 54.4  km
• Biskupia Kopa in the Opava Mountains, distance: 74.8  km
• Opava Mountains, distance: 74.8  km
• Bear Cave in Kletno, distance: 77  km
• The castle in Tworków, distance: 84.6  km
• Castle in Głogówek, distance: 95.3  km