Europa

How to spend 1 day in Brno?

13 września 2017
How to spend 1 day in Brno?

Since the Polish Bus has increased the frequency of connections to Brno, I couldn’t resist the temptation to buy tickets! Especially since Brno is the second largest city in the Czech Republic and the capital of Moravia. In addition, it is considered an important industrial center, which is often called „Czech Manchester„. However, don’t expect a crowded metropolis. 😉 In truth it is a big city, but only for the Czech conditions. We felt more like in a provincial town, although the area of ​​the historic center is really impressive! Nevertheless 1 day or even a few hours is enough to walk around the city. It doesn’t mean that there is no point to come for the weekend. Just 30 km from Brno is a beautiful region called Moravian Kras. Its main attraction are pristine caves to which you have to book a ticket in advance. Unfortunately, connections from Brno are very heavy and we wouldn’t be able to get back in time. I hope I will be able to come back and see caves someday! Meanwhile, let me introduce you Brno! :

How to get to Brno?

As you already know, Brno is quite a big city and an important transport hub, hence the journey here is simple and uncomplicated. We traveled from Kraków by Polish Bus. We managed to buy two return tickets for 55 zł (one ticket was for 1 zł + 1 zł booking fee)! 😀 I was on Facebook when they announced a new calendar, so I got the cheapest price. This way I bought a ticket about two months earlier. Depart at 4:40 in the morning. Arrival 9:30. Return at 17:25. In conclusion: Enough time to see the most important places.

Czech Crown course for September 2017
  • 1 PLN is 6,16 CZK
  • 1 EUR is 26,10 CZK
Nádraží, Galeria Vaňkovka and the worst coffee from Mac Donald’s ever…

First impressions? To be honest: bad. First of all the forecast showed us that it would be 26 degrees. When we got off the bus it was super windy and definitely less than 26 degrees… Another thing was the Main Bus Station. At the beginning we thought that we were back in time at least 50 years. Unfortunately the condition of Nádraží station is really horrible. Besides this place looks creepy – it’s almost empty, not so many buses and there are more asians with their awful clothes (I don’t know who buys this shit) than europeans.

We left the bus station as soon as possible. We walked through the Vaňkovka Gallery. Typical shopping center – nothing special. We decided to grab a coffee from Mac. That was our biggest mistake in Brno. NEVER DO THAT IN THIS PLACE. We got the worst coffee ever. I’m even not able to compare this shit to something. I don’t know if coffee in the whole Czech Rep. / Brno tastes like that, but: NEVER DRINK COFFEE IN THIS MAC DONALD’S. AMEN.

Monastery and Catacombs of the Capuchins

The biggest attraction in Brno? Mummified corpses of the Capuchins! So at least believes fact.pl (polish magazine), which points to the unusual properties of the soil (favors mummification) in this place and to the unusual burial of the friars. To this day, we can admire their well-preserved mummies, in the basement of the imposing monastery. It is hard to believe that these people lived in the seventeenth century, because at first glance, the mummies don’t look so old. Some of them are lying on the ground, without any security, separated from the visitors only by a glass cabinet. Others lie in coffins with a glass lid. Pay attention to the growth of these people. Most of them are very small!

The entrance to the Catacombs costs 70 CZK. Pictures 30 CZK.

I would like to add that I was also in the Catacombs of Palermo and I must say that I definitely enjoyed more italian Catacombs.

Catacombs

Catacombs

Catacombs

Monastery

Monastery

Zelny Trh

From the monastery we went to the first of two markets in Brno, namely Zelny Trh (fruit market). It’s quite big square, where (at least on saturday) you can buy vegetable and fruit on market. The main attraction of the square is a 17th-century Baroque fountain. In our opinion – one of Brno’s coolest attractions, due to its originality and unconventional nature! On the square there is also another monument – the Holy Trinity from the 18th century. Gray, powerful and massive building belongs to the court. The red theater building also draws attention. This is Palác Hausperských from Fanal and it represents the gothic style.

Baroque fountain

Monument to the Holy Trinity

Court building in the background

Palác Hausperských from Fanal

Townhouses

Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul

Have you ever wondered what’s on a CZK 10 coin? This is the famous cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul, the most recognizable point of Brno! Situated on a gentle hill, proudly presents itself above the city. It is best to admire it from the nearby fortress, because the dense buildings near the Cathedral prevented full recognition of her majesty. Its beginning dates back to the XI – XII century.

Entrance to the Cathedral is free – it is worth to enter though the interior is very poor.

  • Noon at 11!

Bells in Brno beat already at 11 o’clock. According to the legend, during the Thirty Years War, the besieged Brno Swedes had gave the city a promise that they would leave if they didn’t reach the city by noon. The inhabitants of Brno turned out to be smarter, and started the beating of the bells began long before noon. The Swedes retreated, and the city survived!

In front of the Cathedral

Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul

Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul

Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul

Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul

Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul

Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul

Denisovy Sad

We made a short stop for small snack in the first public park in Brno (founded in the 19th century) – Denisovy Sad. By the way, we admired the panorama of the city. However, it is not a panorama of historic Brno, but rather classical settlements, which are similar to Polish. This is also the best spot to admire the castle! You can see it in its full glory!

In the middle of the park is located obelisks in memory for the victory over Napoleon.

Denisovy Sad

Denisovy Sad

Denisovy Sad

Denisovy Sad – panorama Castle

On the way to namesti Svobody

our next goal was the second (second for us) 😀 market in Brno – Namesti Svobody. On the way we passed some interesting places!

Firstly, we had a beautiful view of Jan Amos Komensky Church. Stop for a moment in the somekind of „balcony” in Denisovy Sad, if you want to have such views. 🙂

Jan Amos Komensky Church

Jan Amos Komensky Church

Then we passed by a small square, which main attraction is the elegant and refined Modra Hvezda building. Formerly a brewery, and today a restaurant.

Modra Hvezda

They were very friendly! People pet them. 😉

We continued our walk towards the market and this time we passed through the charming Biskupská streets. We admired the well-kept buildings of the city office. At the end of the street is located the 17th-century church of Sts. Michael. It is open only during Mass.

Biskupska street

Biskupska street

Biskupska street

St. Michael church

Triangle market namesti Svobody

Finally we reached namesti Svobody – the trangle market of Brno. The first mention of this place dates back to the 13th century. In the past the area was inhabited by nobles and rich townspeople. What to look for here? Primarily for the 19th century Kleinův Palác. Quite interesting building, though not looks like a palace like we usually imagine. 😛 I was much more interested in the 17th century Dům pánů from Lipé, which is definitely more interesting building.

Another great attraction is a modern sundial. However, many people say that it looks like a big Penis…😀

Sundial

namesti Svobody

namesti Svobody a w tle ratusz

namesti Svobody

namesti Svobody

Kleinův Palác

Dům pánů z Lipé

Church of Sts. Thomas

We spent some time in the market and then we continued our walk to see the church of Sts. Thomas. This is a 14th century building, pleasing to the eye, but – nothing special. 😛 However, don’t hesitate to come here, because next to it is located much more interesting building – Morawiecka Gallery. Besides, there is something in the square that looks like a trojan horse, which attracts the biggest attention of tourists. 😀

Church of Sts. Thomas

Morawiecka Gallery

Morawiecka Gallery

Selfie with a horse 😀

Restored buildings

This time we wanted to see the Mahen Theater. On the way we noticed that many buildings in Brno are beautifully maintained and restored. Both of us agreed that there are no distinctive attractions in Brno, but many interesting buildings can be seen here. Below, some great pictures of Brno’s buildings.

Brno

Brno

Brno

Brno

Brno

Mahen Theatre

Brno

Brno

Lunch

We had a lunch in Piazza Ristorante – the Italian pizzeria. 😀 We truly recommend this place – you will find it at the namesty Svoboda, in the gallery. For two pizzas, beer and Aperol we paid 445 CZK.

Špilberk Castle

At the end of the tour we left the castle. The first mention dates back to the 13th century. At some point it was even a royal residence, later became a Habsburg prison, and finally became an important part of the fortress. Today it is a museum object, readily visited by families with children. On Saturday afternoon there were quite a lot of people.

We didn’t decide to explore the interiors of castle. We walked from side to side to find the best viewpoint to admire the Cathedral! 🙂 Yes, the cathedral is best seen from this place! And we also have a panoramic view of the old city, not just residential buildings. It is worth to climb this small hill!

Once again we passed by Jan Amos Komensky church

Cathedral seen from the Spillberk castle

I told you it was windy!!!

That’s all folks! Thank you for staying with me till the end. I hope you liked and enjoyed. Don’t hesitate to ask us questions or share your experience! 🙂

Brak komentarzy

Zostaw komentarz