Weekend in Olomouc

The former seat of Moravian rulers, now partly ruins and partly a public park with a Romanesque bishop’s palace and the medieval St. Wenceslas Cathedral. You can walk the grounds,

Tip: Enter from the cathedral side via the archway – there’s a small gate that leads to a hidden courtyard with original 12th-century stonework and a view over the city rooftops.

A long, narrow public park between the city centre and the river. Developed in the 19th century on former fortification ditches, it has broad lawns, tall trees, a small lake with f

Tip: Bring bread for the ducks and watch for the ring-necked parakeets that roost in the big plane trees near the lake – they’re loud but fun.

A 35-metre plague column from 1716, covered in sculpted saints and religious scenes. UNESCO-listed, it sits right in Horní náměstí square. You can walk around it and see the small chapel at the base t

Tip: Go at sunset when the stone catches warm light and the square is quieter. The astronomical clock nearby does a mini show on the hour.

A socialist-era mechanical clock on the town hall, rebuilt in the 1950s after war damage. Instead of saints, it shows workers, scientists and athletes. The dials track sun and moon positions, and figu

Tip: Stand right in front at 12 noon for the full chiming display. The mosaic tiles depict famous Czechs, so look out for the Jára Cimrman panel – he’s fictional but treated as local hero.

A Gothic church from the 15th century, but the real draw is the undercroft: a damp, atmospheric crypt with exposed medieval foundations and a small gallery of modern art installations. Entry is a few

Tip: Check the church noticeboard for occasional free choir concerts. The crypt smells of old stone and wax – bring a jumper as it’s cool even in summer.