*A 4 km tour around the 2024 ‘Historic City of the Year’: Moravská Třebová*
- Moravská Třebová is a beautiful Moravian town noted for having some of the best preserved early Renaissance architecture in Central Europe. It has had a number of important noble owners, including the Lords of Žerotín and the Liechenstein family. At the end of the 16th century the town became a major center for humanism and was even nicknamed the ‘Moravian Athens’. Despite its fame (and its convenient location on a transit route between Olomouc and Hradec Kálové), Moravská Třebová is, for the present, not overwhelmed with tourists. Perhaps that will change, having been declared in April 2025, Czech Historic City of the Year for 2024.
- Before it gets properly discovered by the tourist industry, why not make a quick trip to this Moravian jewel to discover the main highlights? These include the arcaded late Gothic and Renaissance architecture on the main square, which is dominated by a superb Baroque plague column. Also on the suggested route is the impressive chateau, now displaying a mix of early Renaissance and Empire style elements, and the monumental Moravská Třebová, the interior of which is decorated with stunning Baroque frescoes.
- Overlooking Moravská Třebová to the east, the Hill of Crosses is the site of the town’s churchyard, dating back to the Renaissance period of ownership under the Žerotíns. It is worth the 75m climb up the hill for the view and to see the 19th century lapidárium and calvary, as well as the fresco-lined Renaissance chapel.
- The tour of the old town , including the walk up and down the Hill of Crosses is no more than 2.5 km in length. It can be managed with a stroller. If travelling by train, the station is 1 km from the main square, which extends the walk somewhat. There are a number of good refreshment spots in town, but a nice spot is the chateau café, directly in the early Renaissance arcade.
Note: click ‘Show on Mapy.com’ above to go to a full screen version directly on the mapy.cz site. This can be used for online navigation, saved or exported as a GPX file
Directions
- From the train station, follow the RED trail in to the main square and then to the Moravská Třebová
- From the main square, the red diversion markers lead to the chateau and then to the hill of Crosses, Křížový vrch
