Olomouc, Czech Republic - hotels, tours, history, sights, transportation

Olomouc

District: Olomoucky kraj
Population: 102 000
Location: Central Moravia, 280 km far from Prague

Location

Olomouc, one of the most important historical and business centres of the Czech Republic is situated in the centre of Moravia. The fifth largest city of the Czech Republic lies on the river Morava within 80km from Brno, 100km from Ostrava and about 300km from Prague.

Transportation

Olomouc - Prague: by car - 3 hours, train - 3.5 hours
Olomouc - Brno: by car - 1 hour, by car/train - 1.5 hours

History in brief

Prince Bretislav built Olomouc Castle in the first half of the 11th century and the castle was first mentioned in writings in the Kosmas Chronicle from 1055 A.D. Before the end of the 11th century a new Moravian bishopric and Benedictine Monastery were established there. Olomouc became the capital town of Moravia during the 13th and 14th centuries and in the second half of the 16th century the second Czech university was established there. Olomouc bishopric was promoted to archbishopric later which was an important event in the history of the town. The main university and church centre of Moravia was stricken by two big plague epidemies, especially the second one between 1713-1715, and several big fires, namely the fire in 1709 that destroyed about 350 houses and some churches.

In 1971 Olomouc is declared a historical town reserve and in 2000 the Holy Trinity Column was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Sights

The most important sight is the Holy Trinity Column on the Upper Square (Horni namesti). You can also find many churches and monasteries there e.g. St. Wenceslas Catedral, St. Nicholas Church, St. Moricz Church or Monastery Hradisko. The Church of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary on The Holy Hill (Svaty kopecek) is one of the most significant and most visited pilgrimage sites in the Czech lands. On the 11th of April 1995 the Church of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary was officially raised to the status of a Basilica Minor by Pope John Paul II. Other beautiful sights worth visiting are e.g. Premysl's Castle, the Town Hall with a horologue (astronomical clock) or Archbishop Palace.

The present time

Apart from sightseeing tours you can find many other types of entertainment in the town such us galleries, cinemas, restaurants or clubs.