Znojmo – a guide to the attractions of the pearl of South Moravia in the Czech Republic

Znojmo is an extremely charming city with a rich history and a well-preserved Old Town. It lies close to the border with Austria. The market is very nice, but it is the terraces on the hill by the River Thaya that make the city steal the heart! It is the most beautiful fragment of it and at the same time the most valuable monuments of the city. It is definitely one of the most interesting places in South Moravia, in addition to beautiful views and valuable buildings, it also attracts with its vineyards and proximity to the valuable nature of the Podyjí National Park. You can spend a few hours in the center, but spend the whole day exploring the city, the underground and the surrounding viewpoints. Check out our guide to Znojmo!

Znojmo - location and access as well as parking

Znojmo is located in South Moravia, in the southern part of the Czech Republic. It is 65 km southwest of Brno, about 60 km west of Mikulov and less than 10 km from the border with Austria. The city lies on the River Thaya, which forms a deep, picturesque valley here. The most convenient way to get from Poland is by car through Brno. From Upper Silesia, the route most often leads along the Czech one through Ostrava and then along the road No. 53 towards Znojmo. It is also possible to get there by train or bus from Brno. The train station is located south of the historical center, so you have to walk about 20–30 minutes to the most important monuments or use public transport.

Paid parking is available in the city centre. Fees are usually valid on working days from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm and on Saturdays before noon. It is worth checking the signage carefully, because some places are intended only for residents. It is best to park on the outskirts of the Old Town and continue exploring Znojmo on foot. The historic center is compact, but located on a hill, which is why we have some stairs and climbs waiting for us during the walk. We parked for free in the parking lot at Dvořákova Street, at the Bauer Hockey Shop. The parking lot is not large and is usually full, but we succeeded.

What to see in Znojmo? Experience map

Znojmo is the pearl of South Moravia and one of the oldest cities in the region. Therefore, it hides very valuable monuments from various periods of art, ranging from the Romanesque rotunda, through Gothic temples and city walls to Renaissance and Baroque tenement houses. Also noteworthy are the unique undergrounds, which constitute one of the largest underground systems in Central Europe. It is worth starting the tour from the castle hill, which makes a colossal impression. It is also worth coming back a little later, when the sun's rays envelop this place in warm colors. Here are the best attractions of Znojmo!

Castle and Romanesque Rotunda of St. Catherine - Znojmo Castle - the oldest and most valuable monuments of the city

Znojmo Castle is located in the most beautiful part of the city, on a high hill above the Dyje valley. Settlement here flourished already during the times of the Great Moravian state, i.e. from the 8th century. The current form of the castle is the result of numerous reconstructions, which is why it does not resemble a typical fortified residence with high towers. However, the greatest historical value is not the castle itself, but the Romanesque rotunda located on its territory. It dates back to the 11th century, and in the middle it hides extremely valuable and noble frescoes from the 12th century. They are so fragile and delicate that the rotunda is limited when it comes to tourist entrances. Sightseeing is possible only on certain dates and under favorable conditions. We got here on Monday, so the whole castle was inaccessible. The full invocation of the rotunda is to the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Catherine. The paintings depict, among others, the rulers of the Przemyślid dynasty. This is one of the most valuable examples of Romanesque wall painting in the whole Czech Republic.
Address: Hradní 84

St. Nicholas Church and St. Wenceslas Chapel - St. Nicholas Church

On the same terraces on the same side of the river, opposite the castle, there is an extremely photogenic church of St. Nicholas. The present temple is Gothic, and its origin is the fourteenth century, although even older monuments, such as the baptismal font from the thirteenth century, have been preserved inside. Inside, there are also vaults, Baroque furnishings and altars. A peculiarity is the glass sarcophagus with the relics of St. Boniface. Next to the church, there is the chapel of St. Wenceslas, which I also recommend to visit. This complex of monuments is the most characteristic point of Znojmo with an extensive panorama of the Thaya valley. This corner of Znojmo really captivated us and reminded us a bit of Kutna Hora and the local church of St. Barbara.
Address: Mikulášské nám. 50/3

Terraces by the River Thaya and viewpoints

The biggest advantage of Znojmo are the terraces and paths along the edge of the hill. Some are located near the church of St. Nicholas, others lead towards the castle and the river valley. It is here that it is best to see how unusual the location of the city is. On the one hand, we have the compact buildings of the Old Town, and on the other – steep slopes, forests and the Thaya winding down. On a sunny day, it is also one of the best places to photograph Znojmo. It is worth remembering that some paths lead close to a cliff, so be careful, especially after the rain and when walking with children.

Znojmo Market Square - Masaryk Square

The main city developed at a slight distance from the river, and its central point is the main market square, Masarykovo náměstí. It is surrounded by colorful townhouses, restaurants, cafes and shops. It is worth paying attention to the decorative facades of buildings, arcades and narrow streets departing from the square. It is worth mentioning the Polish accent, because nearby, in Tasovice, Saint Clement Maria Hofbauer, who is one of the patrons of Warsaw, was born in 1751. Here in Znojmo, he was a journeyman with a baker and collected money for theological studies. After joining the order and dissolution of monasteries, he moved to Warsaw, where he founded an orphanage and school and helped the poor. When walking around the market square, it is also worth taking a look at the neighboring squares and streets. Znojmo is the city that is best known without haste – looking at the gates of tenement houses, observing the details of the facades and stopping at one of the cafes.
Address: Masarykovo náměstí

Town Hall Tower - Town Hall Tower

The tall, late-Gothic Town Hall Tower is one of the symbols of Znojmo. It was erected in the 15th century, and its observation gallery is located at a height of about 70 meters, which is why many stairs lead to it. The effort is rewarded with a beautiful panorama, it is one of the best observation points in the city, although the views are observed through small windows. From above you can admire the red roofs of the Old Town, the church of St. Nicholas, the castle hill and the Thaya valley. With good visibility, the gaze reaches much further, towards the Moravian vineyards and the hills of Pálava. Interestingly, for centuries, the guards who watched the city around the clock climbed in this way. Their task was also to announce the time. The guard service on the tower operated until 1924.
Address: Obroková 1

Underground - Znojmo underground

In Znojmo, you will find one of the largest urban underground systems in all of Central Europe. It stretches under the historic center for almost 30 kilometers. It has been created since the Middle Ages, since the fourteenth century, on several levels. These were both basements and warehouses, shelters and other elements that the townspeople needed. Now there is a tourist route, available only with a guide. These are not ordinary interconnected cellars under tenement houses, but a real labyrinth carved into the rocks. Initially, the undergrounds were created because it was an agricultural village and it was necessary to store food. Over time, more needs appeared and here a Czech saying that the war is won by the one who hides well, which is why the corridors began to be deepened so that families could protect themselves in them.

The undergrounds resemble catacombs, reaching up to 4 floors deep into the rocks, allowing you to descend up to 12 meters underground. The corridors are so numerous that several variants of tourist routes are offered, e.g. family but also the so-called adrenaline, during which you explore the local abysses for nearly 3 hours. The underground route starts in the vicinity of Slepičí trh, or "Chicken Market", near the market square. The standard tour takes about 1 hour and is guided. It is worth remembering that in the basement there is a constant, low temperature throughout the year, it is worth taking a sweatshirt and comfortable shoes, because the passages are sometimes damp and uneven.
Address: Chicken Market 2

Town defensive walls with towers - Městská opevňovací linii

The city also boasts some of the finest fortifications in the country. After all, from the very beginning of its existence, it was a border town. About 70% of the original city walls have survived to this day, along with numerous towers and towers. The best preserved fragments of fortifications can be seen near the castle, St. Nicholas Church and the former city gates. During the walk, it is worth paying attention to the remains of the gates and individual towers incorporated into the later buildings. The defensive walls do not form a single, completely accessible route, but they can be woven into a walk around the Old Town. You will find information boards in several places next to them. Towers in Znojmo:

• Wolf Tower (Vlka, Vlkova věž), Kollárova 385/6 - the mostfamous and massive gate tower in the city, 32 m high. Named after the 19th-century lawyer Jan Vlk, it guarded the former Lower Gate
• Dog Tower (Psí věž) -  a smaller tower included in the preserved fortification strip over the valley of the Dyje River
• Powder Tower (Prašná věž) - a tower formerly used for storing gunpowder
• Thick Tower, Na Valech 1554/1
• The New Tower (Nová věž), Žleby 609 - an element of the medieval defence system complementing the series of walls
• Town Hall Tower (Radniční věž) - stands inside the old town (at Obrokowa Street), not directly in the line of the walls, but it was a key observation and defense point from the 15th century

Louka Monastery - Louka Monastery

In addition to the strict center, it is worth visiting the Norbertine monastery in Louka. The extensive complex is located in the southern part of Znojmo, by the Dyje River. The former monastery is an important place for the history of the region, and nowadays it is also associated with Moravian wine-making. In part of the complex, there is the Znovín Znojmo center and winery, where you can learn about the traditions of local wine production and try drinks from the region. Znojmo and its surroundings are famous primarily for white wines, including sauvignon blanc, riesling and veltlínské zelené. In addition, there are small family vineyards and traditional cellars in the surrounding towns such as Popice, Konice, Hnanice and Nový Šaldorf.
Address: Klášterní 5

Podyji National Park - the only one in Moravia

Znojmo is located near the border with Austria, 5 km from the city in its direction extends the only Podyji National Park in Moravia - the smallest in the whole Czech Republic. It winds around the riverbed and protects the Thaya valley and the surrounding forests, meadows and rocky slopes. The fact that the areas are borderland has contributed as much as possible to the fact that valuable nature has been preserved, because people did not interfere in this area too much and that is why we can now admire such pristine pictures. Due to nature protection, it is not possible to descend to the river itself everywhere, and part of the area is only accessible on foot or by bicycle along marked routes. We set off from Popice for a five-kilometer walk. We will admit that the biggest advantage are the viewpoints over the river, which I write about below, because the remaining fragments are a walk through the forest. It is the same river that flows through Znojmo and, interestingly, also leads from its market square to the heart of the Park, but it is already 12 km in both directions.

Sealsfield Stone - Sealsfieldův kámen - a spectacular vantage point in Podyja

Sealsfield's Stone is a fantastic vantage point and the most spectacular place in Podyji National Park. A monumental wall, even an abyss, and a river meanders downstairs. Be careful, because it's definitely dangerous. This place reminds us of our Pieniny National Park and Sokolica, until you would like to be down there in a kayak and admire the charm of the place from that perspective. This rock cliff is called the Sealsfield Stone after the writer and traveler Charles Sealsfield, who lived in nearby Popice. Where did the English-sounding surname come from in Moravia? His real name by birth was Karl Postl, but he criticized the Austrian authorities so much that it was better for him to emigrate under a changed name. When he was young, he loved to contemplate here.

Additional attractions - what else is worth visiting in Znojmo and the surrounding area?

On the terraces you will find the Motor Museum (Koželužská 600) prepared with a sense of humour. The city is also dotted with temples, such as the Church of St. John the Baptist in the market square or the Church of St. Cross with a Dominican monastery. Near Znojmo there is the castle of Vranov nad Dyjí. It is definitely worth visiting its capital - Brno, as well as the wonderful Mikulov with the entire picturesque Palava and the palaces of Lednice and Valtice.

Where to eat in Znojmo?

Znojmo offers many places where you can experience the local cuisine. In the center you will find the Lahofer Hotel Restaurant at Veselá Street, where you can combine dishes with wine tasting from the Znojmo region. In the historic center, there is also a brewery of the Old Cock brewery in Znojmo. It's a good place for a casual meal and a tasting of local beer. The brewery is an interesting alternative for people who want to try something other than Moravian wine during their stay. For coffee, you can sit on the terraces by the rotunda or in the Coffee at the Town Hall - a pleasant café near the Town Hall.

Znojmo – practical information

• The best time to visit the city is from spring to autumn, although Znojmo is also attractive in the off-season. Especially at the turn of summer and autumn, he is curious when the harvesting takes place and the events associated with it
• For underground and rotunda, it is worth buying or booking tickets in advance, especially on weekends and during holidays
• In the city center, it's best to walk
• For a walk around Podyjí, you should take comfortable shoes, water and a phone with a map, it is mainly a hike through the forest, without infrastructure. It is best to start the hike in Popice, where you can find some gastronomy, at least in the season

Accommodation in Znojmo

The city offers a rich accommodation base, but we did not sleep in Znojmo, and in Mikulov, near an hour's drive away, in the Radosti Hotel. If you are interested in accommodation specifically in Znojmo, use the search engine below.

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Rent a car

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What's worth seeing in the area?

If you are looking for more ideas for interesting places to visit, we have it for you some options in the area. There are several attractions within a radius of 100 kilometers, that are worth adding to your travel plan.

• Mikulov, distance: 43.8  km
• Brno, distance: 55.7  km
• Vienna Fairgrounds, distance: 75.3  km
• Moravian Karst, distance: 75.9  km
• Vienna, distance: 75.9  km