The Ultimate Potion for Wellness Enthusiasts
Sun-Kissed Wine from Slovácko
If you’re a wine lover, a must-visit destination is the charming area of white and blue painted historic wine cellars in Plze located in Petrov, as well as the historic Templar cellars in Čejkovice, originally constructed by the Templars back in the 13th century. A fantastic recommendation for cycling enthusiasts is the Moravian Wine Trails, spanning over 1,200 km. You can also explore the wine cellars in Bzenec, the Mutěnicky sheds, young lanes in Ratíškovice, or the cellars in Šidleny.
A noteworthy highlight is the Vratsa Parliament – the cellars in Vracov historically served as a sort of secondary town hall, where political and economic discussions took place. This is illustrated by a name of one of the chambers, known as Parliament. The most famous cellar in Vracov, “Parliament,” got its name during a time when town councillors gathered over a glass of wine to discuss and resolve issues that they had previously debated in vain at the town hall. It’s rumored that the Fifteen was originally the municipal cellar designated for the councillors’ wine storage. Cellars 14 and 15 in the heart of the colony make up two chambers of the Vracov wine parliament. The Senate, measuring around 70 meters, is one of the longest cellars in Baráky. Initially, the cellar was longer; however, due to fears of collapse or suffocation during the heaving process, the outer parts were sealed off.
Open-air Museums and Folk Costumes
At the Strážnice open-air museum, you can explore various ethnographic areas of Slovácko. The museum features a folk architecture complex, press room, and model vineyard. It represents the folk architecture of different regions within Slovácko.
If you appreciate folklore traditions, you can learn how to sew folk costumes. This experience awaits you in the village of Blatnička at the Centre of Folk Creativity and Crafts School. The center also houses a museum of folk costumes that will guide you through the history of Slovácko’s costumes, showcasing both their current use and maintenance practices. A key part of the visit includes a costume workshop, where you can watch the creation of these traditional costumes. The tours here are always engaging and informative, enriched by thematic exhibitions and seminars held year-round.
In Blatnice pod Svatým Antonínkem, you can find the Blatnik Museum. This unique museum features an array of sewing machines from various brands across two workshops, one of which also displays a collection of buttons. In the largest room, local costumes are exhibited on antique furniture and mannequins.
Blueprint workshop in Strážnice, one of the last remaining establishments of its kind in the Czech Republic, boasts a tradition exceeding a century. Visiting the workshop allows you to witness a demonstration of traditional production techniques that have remained unchanged since it opened in 1906. The workshop also includes a shop where a wide range of products is available for purchase.
Explore Top Slovak Monuments
Slovácko is more than just a place rich in folk customs, dulcimer music, slivovitz, and wine; it also features vast deciduous forests on Chřiby slopes and legendary orchid meadows in the White Carpathians, along with historical sites in Old Town, Velehrad, or Modrá, allowing you to step back to the 9th century during the Great Moravian Empire.
A permanent exhibition showcasing milling and life in Horňácko is located near the wine mill in Kuželov, which is one of the few remaining Dutch-type windmills. Other windmills can be seen in Bukovany and Poddvorov. Additionally, a lookout tower designed in the style of a Dutch windmill, standing 15 m tall, is a prominent landmark above the village of Bukovany.
The castle in Milotice is a Baroque structure built on the site of a medieval fortress in the second half of the 17th century, with its final appearance becoming established in the first half of the 18th century, thanks to builder Karel Antonín Sérenyi. Visitors can explore the beautifully arranged castle grounds, which include an honorary courtyard, riding hall, stables, two orangeries, French park, and a nearby pheasantry.
Slavic settlement in Mikulčice stands out as one of the most significant historical sites in our nation’s history. It is widely believed that the mounds at Mikulčice were the capital of Great Moravia. The museum exhibits not only daily life artifacts but also pieces of artistic craftsmanship.
Buchlov Castle is one of the most visited sites in Slovácko. Its origins trace back to the first half of the 13th century, established by the Czech king as a strategic defensive stronghold, which also served as an administrative center with judicial authority under hunting law. Exhibitions showcase the architectural progression of the castle from the 13th to the 18th century, along with natural history and Egyptological collections. The visit concludes with a trip to the lookout tower. You can combine your visit to the castle with a stop at the nearby Chapel of St. Barbara, where the owners are buried.
Buchlovice Castle, situated close to Buchlov Castle, is recognized as one of the most significant Baroque aristocratic estates in the Czech Republic. Its architectural excellence, extensive collections, notable owners, and pivotal role during the closing years of the Habsburg monarchy add to its importance.
The Velehrad pilgrimage site is among the most significant pilgrimage locations in the Czech Republic, with the highlight being the stunning Baroque basilica, along with the adjacent former Cistercian monastery buildings. In 1927, the local church acquired the title and privileges of a minor basilica (basilica minor).
Journey to the Bata Canal
Bata Canal presents a fascinating and unique chance to explore the area surrounding the Morava River, stretching from Haná’s Athens—Kroměříž to Hodonín. The section of the Bata Canal between Otrokovice and Sudoměřice is currently utilized for leisure shipping. This navigable section is about 53 km long, 12 m wide, and 1.5 m deep (by 2027, the navigable section is expected to extend to 72 km). The waterway features 13 locks that help maintain its water level, configured through 13 weirs, and also comprises 50 bridges. The navigation canal partially follows the Morava River and partly consists of a manmade artificial channel; it diverges from the river in Spytihnev and rejoins the river in Staré Město.
Motorboat rentals, along with tour boats, canoes, and bicycles, are available at locations such as Spytihněv, Staré Město, Uherské Hradiště, Veselí nad Moravou, Vnorovy, Strážnice, Sudoměřice, or Hodonín. Small boats with a maximum of 20 kW can be operated without a license. These boats are designed for displacement navigation and can reach a top speed of 12 km/h. This means any individual over 18 can operate a boat without needing a special permit; rental companies will simply provide training to help users navigate the boat safely.
