Olomouc

Located in Central Moravia and bathed by the Moravian River, Olomouc is a little gem that is still little known to tourists. A university city with over 1,000 years of history, it is lively, young and energetic, but also rich in artistic and historical treasures.

The rich calendar of events that animate the city in all seasons of the year is the best testimony to Olomouc’s liveliness.

Suffice it to say that one of the most important beer festivals in the Czech Republic is held here, as well as a bizarre battle of the whipped cream (but also the International Organ Music Festival, if you prefer).

Things to do in Olomouc

On Olomouc’s central square stands the Holy Trinity Column, the largest open-air Baroque sculpture group in Central Europe. It will leave you speechless with its beauty, richness and monumentality: it is so large that it contains a small chapel inside. The citizens of Olomouc are justifiably proud of this sculptural jewel, whose inauguration was also attended by Empress Maria Theresa. After admiring it, you can stay on the square and have a coffee or simply watch the passers-by.

Six Baroque fountains dedicated to ancient mythological deities (Neptune, Hercules, Jupiter, Triton, Caesar and Mercury) adorn the town centre, to which a seventh has recently been added, depicting… a turtle!

The Olomouc Castle on Václavské Návrší hill is definitely worth a visit, famous for being the place where King Wenceslas III, the last descendant of the Přemislidi family, was assassinated in 1306. It is a complex of buildings that includes St Wenceslas Cathedral with its towering spires (the second highest in the Czech Republic), the Archbishop’s Museum inaugurated by Pope John Paul II, the Romanesque Bishop’s Palace, the Chapel of St Anne and the Chapel of St Barbara.

Also take a look at the eccentric astronomical clock on the town hall building: it was made during the communist era and you will easily notice how different the style is from the historical Prague Astronomical Clock!

Nature and relaxation

If you are looking for a bit of peace and quiet, we recommend the ring of parks and gardens separating the old and new town, perfect for a pleasant stroll, or the Holy Mountain on the outskirts of Olomouc, an important place of pilgrimage where spiritual serenity is guaranteed.

If you like Olomouc, why not stay here for a few days? You could take advantage of it for a holiday of relaxation and nature in the nearby Jeseníky Mountains.

Olomouc cottage cheese

The typical product of Olomouc is cottage cheese, the production of which has been documented since the 15th century. They are made from sour curdled milk and the entire two-phase ripening process is purely natural; they are characterised by an inimitable, strong flavour.

If you want to learn more about this gourmet delicacy, visit the Olomouc Cottage Cheese Museum in nearby Loštice.

How to get to Olomouc from Prague

Olomouc is about 250 km from Prague and can be reached by public transport. Those wishing to travel by train can choose between the more expensive fast trains, which take about 2 hours and 40 minutes, and normal trains. The latter cost less but take about 30-40 minutes longer. Cheaper than the train is the bus, which, however, takes almost four hours.

Another option is to rent a car: this will allow you to choose whether to head straight for Olomouc or make a few stops along the way to visit other interesting places such as utná Hora, Hradec Králové, Litomyšl and Polička.

Olomouc Weather