Litoměřice

May 15, 2021

460 3 minutes read

Litoměřice is a town of 26,000 people and is located only 3 miles from Terezín. This means that it is the perfect place to go if you want to lift your mood slightly after spending time trudging around the often depressing camp. The Main Square here is the main place for tourists to go, and if you stay here for long enough, you’ll really get a feel for how this bustling little town works. You should also make sure that you visit the two impressive Baroque churches in the town – a town that was once, during the Communist era, the only place in the Czech Republic with a seminary.

Sights in Litoměřice

Most people visiting Litoměřice start in the Main Square, and from here, there are many different side streets to explore, each full of small shops and bakeries. If you want to get your bearings in the Main Square, the tower is located to the south, while the highest part of the square is due west. The best place to grab a bite to eat is in the square itself, as you can then work off the calories with a guided tour up the onion-shaped tower of the Town Hall – be warned, though, the guide loves the sound of his own voice! The museum in the square is not of huge interest, and most tourists skip this attraction.

If you head down the street next to the Town Hall, you will find yourself walking towards the town walls. These provide great views over the city and out into the suburbs. You will notice a statue when you get to the viewpoint, and this is of one of the Czech Republic’s most famous poets, Karel Hynek Macha, who wrote an extremely famous poem called “Maj”. He died in Litomerice, and in 1939 his body was exhumed and transferred to the Slavin cemetery in Prague. Through the 20^th century – especially during the occupation by the Nazis and the Communist regime – he was seen as a figure of inspiration, a man to stir the nationalism of Czechs throughout the land. He was even involved in the Velvet Revolution in 1989, as students were headed for his grave when they were demonstrating against the rule of the Communists.

Eating in Litoměřice

There are two main options for eating in Litomerice. These are:

Joka

This is a Czech fast-food restaurant, serving regular meals and some excellent soup as well. You could grab a sandwich from here and then sit by the fountain, admiring the view of the architecture and watching the people go about their daily lives.

Salva Guarda

This is a restaurant to sit down in and is found under the arches in the square’s southeast. The service isn’t great, and the restaurant isn’t too comfortable, but the food is delicious. It’s open between 11 am and 11 pm every day.

Transport from Litoměřice

Buses leave Litoměřice for Prague every hour, and you will need to head to the main bus station to catch one. You can do this by walking east along Main Street (Dlouhá), then crossing the intersection, before then continuing eastwards along Na Kocande Street. It’s only a 10-minute walk, and it is hard to get lost. You’ll also find the train station close by too, although buses are more convenient; getting the train to Prague requires you to change trains along the way.

Getting to Litoměřice

To get to Litoměřice, you should take the same bus as you would get to Terezín; the town is located on the same route, only a few minutes after the camp. If you are arriving by bus, you should disembark just after the bridge, as this will leave you with a leisurely two-minute walk to Main Square. If you’ve been to Terezin, you can also jump in a taxi to get to Litoměřice – it’s only a five-minute journey and will cost about 150 CZK.