Křtiny: Baroque Church, Arboretum and Radostná cesta

Křtiny between the Church, Arboretum and Karst Valley

Křtiny lies at the upper edge of the Josefovské údolí karst valley. The town’s varied attractions include the Church of the Holy Name of Mary, the 23-hectare Křtiny Arboretum and the Radostná cesta, with views of the church and town centre. Architecture and religious art sit alongside a collection of trees and shrubs, wood carvings and a walking trail with specific route details. You can plan your stay around these interests and combine cultural attractions with an outing on foot or by bicycle.

Church, Carillon and Ossuary

The Church of the Holy Name of Mary is a Baroque monument designed by Jan Santini-Aichel. Inside the church is a Gothic statue of the Virgin Mary of Křtiny. The church is open to the public year-round; as visitor arrangements may change, check local notices before your trip. The pilgrimage complex also includes the Zvonohra carillon. Its 33 bells can be programmed to play up to 1,000 songs. Architecture, religious art and a distinctive carillon can therefore all be found in the same area.

The Křtiny ossuary offers a different cultural and historical perspective. It contains the remains of hundreds of medieval residents of Křtiny, as well as several skulls decorated with mysterious ornaments. The contrast between the human remains and the ornamented skulls is what sets the ossuary apart from the church’s architecture and furnishings.

Walks and Viewpoints

The Radostná cesta is a walking trail about two kilometres long, with an elevation gain of 50 metres. Several viewpoints offer views of the church and town centre. The route combines a stated distance and elevation gain with a clear connection to the townscape. If you prefer to explore the landscape on foot, it offers a different kind of outing from visiting the church or the collection at the arboretum.

Trees and Wood Art at the Arboretum

The Křtiny Arboretum covers 23 hectares. About 1,000 native and exotic tree and shrub species are cultivated there. The arboretum also features more than 25 wooden sculptures and objects created by students of the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology at Mendel University in Brno. The “Domácí dřeviny” educational trail adds a dedicated focus on native trees and shrubs. The combination makes the arboretum appealing to visitors with different interests: it brings together a diverse collection of trees and shrubs, crafted wooden works and an educational trail.

More Destinations and Activities

The Výpustek Cave is about two kilometres from the centre of Křtiny and can be reached by bicycle or car. It offers a journey 40,000 years back through history. The cave visit can therefore be considered as a separate attraction alongside outings in the town centre; the approximate distance and the listed modes of transport can help you fit it into your plans.

Koupaliště Křtiny is located in the valley of the Křtinský potok stream. The grounds have free, permanently installed parasols, outdoor play equipment for children and a swing, as well as a changing room, toilets and outdoor showers. Availability of the facilities may vary by season, so check before your visit. When planning your trip, this seasonal aspect is worth distinguishing from the town’s year-round cultural and landscape attractions.

Cycling also has a specific connection to the region: the cycling network in the Moravian Karst passes through Křtiny. One recommended route runs via Hádek towards Adamov. Along with the Radostná cesta and the Výpustek Cave, which can be reached by bicycle, cycling offers a different perspective on planning an outing than architecture or the arboretum.

Discover more destinations: Prostřední Poříčí, Vanovice, Bedřichov U Lysic, Adamov U Brna, Valchov, Vážany, Knínice U Boskovic, Crhov.

For the broader travel overview: Okres Blansko.