Blansko District: Discover caves, castles and culture

Around Blansko District, destinations combine experiences of nature with unusual insights into history and architecture. Caves and viewpoints sit alongside castles, an archaeological exhibition, and traces of industrial history. Which stops you focus on depends on whether you are more interested in landscapes, culture, or specific visitor facilities.

Caves, viewpoints and trails

Býčí skála is a National Nature Reserve and part of the second-longest cave system in the Czech Republic. The Býčí skála–Rudické propadání cave system is more than 18 kilometres long. Kateřinská Cave also offers special insights: its main chamber is the largest publicly accessible cave chamber in the Czech Republic. The cave also contains evidence of human habitation in the Stone Age, as well as bones of Quaternary animals. Concerts are held in the main chamber, which is also known for its acoustics.

At Macocha, two height measurements refer to different locations: the upper viewpoint is 138 metres above the bottom of the abyss, while the lower one is 92 metres above the lower part of the gorge. The figures therefore cannot be compared as measurements from the same reference point. A hiking trail leads from the viewpoint towards the Punkva Caves. An eco-train runs between Skalní Mlýn and the caves, and a cable car connects the Punkva Caves with the Macocha Chalet.

Rozhledna Podvrší offers a different perspective. The observation tower is 49 metres high, with 168 green iron steps leading to the top. It is next to a blue-marked hiking trail and cycle route 5116 between Blansko and Boskovice. The site also has a tourist information centre that operates seasonally. In the wider region, EuroVelo 9 is marked with yellow-and-black signs bearing the route logo.

Castles, industrial history and archaeology

Two distinct castle complexes are among the cultural attractions in the area. Rájec nad Svitavou Castle is a National Cultural Monument, built between 1763 and 1769 in a French-influenced Neoclassical style. Its greenhouses are open to the public in February and March during the camellia flowering season. At Lysice Castle, you can visit the garden and the fig house on a self-guided visitor route.

Blansko’s industrial history also shapes the region’s story: the local ironworks grew into the largest cast-iron producer in Moravia and Austrian Silesia, exporting its products around the world. Another cultural and historical landmark is Blansko’s wooden Church of Saint Paraskeva, which was relocated from Carpathian Ruthenia. The different themes—architecture, craftsmanship and origins—offer distinct ways to explore the area’s history.

The Blanensko archaeological exhibition presents Hallstatt finds from Býčí skála. The remains of at least 40 people were discovered at the site. Replicas, an audio guide and Braille labels help blind visitors. Dům přírody Moravského krasu is a separate attraction: its ground floor is fully wheelchair accessible.

Visiting and planning

For a stay that caters to different interests, it is worth choosing destinations according to your priorities. If you want to explore architectural history, you could focus on the castle complexes and the church in Blansko; for nature and caves, the caves and viewpoints mentioned above are good options. The attractions vary: a castle garden you can explore independently is different from a cave that hosts concerts or an observation tower reached by climbing iron steps.

The Palava Reservoir in Blansko offers a different kind of experience. It has a natural bathing area, shady spots under trees and a snack stand. At the wooded ruins of Nový hrad near Blansko, a footpath and a castle tavern open at weekends are part of the visitor facilities. Bear in mind the conditions specifically mentioned when planning your visit: the greenhouses are open during the camellia flowering season in February and March, and the tourist information centre at Rozhledna Podvrší operates seasonally. This lets you choose destinations to suit your interests and the relevant opening times.

Discover more destinations: Pametice, Stvolova, Suchy, Svetla, Bukovina, Benešov U Boskovic, Vanovice, Svata Katerina, Blansko-Oburka, Kuncina Ves, Lysice, Lhota U Lysic, Jedovnice, Býkovice, Blansko, Boskovice, Kulirov, Obora, Sudice, Cetkovice, Doubravice Nad Svitavou, Drnovice U Lysic, Černovice, Knínice U Boskovic, Kotvrdovice, Kunštát, Křetín, Křtiny, Letovice, Lipůvka, Němčice, Olešnice Na Moravě, Olomučany, Ostrov U Macochy, Rájec-Jestřebí, Roubanina, Rozseč Nad Kunštátem, Šebetov, Skalice Nad Svitavou, Skrchov, Lipovec, Svitávka, Úsobrno, Vážany, Velké Opatovice, Vísky, Spešov, Adamov U Brna, Bedřichov U Lysic, Borotín, Bořitov, Brťov-Jeneč, Bukovinka, Crhov, Černá Hora, Deštná, Dlouhá Lhota, Habrůvka, Holštejn, Horní Poříčí, Horní Smržov, Chrudichromy, Jabloňany, Kněževes, Kořenec, Kozárov, Krasová, Krhov, Křtěnov, Kunice, Kuničky, Štěchov, Lazinov, Lhota Rapotina, Lhota U Olešnice, Lubě, Ludíkov, Makov, Malá Lhota, Malá Roudka, Míchov, Vysočany U Blanska, Nýrov, Okrouhlá, Prostřední Poříčí, Ráječko, Rozsíčka, Rudice, Sebranice, Senetářov, Sloup V Moravském Krasu, Vavřinec, Sulíkov, Svinošice, Šebrov-Kateřina, Šošůvka, Újezd U Boskovic, Ústup, Valchov, Velenov, Vilémovice U Macochy, Voděrady, Vranová, Závist, Zbraslavec, Žďár U Blanska, Žernovník, Dolní Lhota, Těchov, Vlkov, Petrovice.

For the broader travel overview: South Moravia.