Oslavany – Mining History and Castle Culture

Oslavany combines the history of coal mining in the Rosicko-Oslavansko basin with the heritage of a Cistercian convent and Renaissance castle. Other attractions include a bathing biotope, a geological educational trail, a church and a family amusement park. You can choose from a range of interests during your stay: industrial and cultural history or seasonal waterside recreation.

Mining history at the museum and headframe

The Rosicko-Oslavansko Mining and Energy Museum presents almost 250 years of coal-mining history in the Rosicko-Oslavansko basin. A scale model of a mine tunnel with a mining locomotive brings the subject to life through a specific exhibit. The museum thus connects a long regional history with a model of an underground mine.

The headframe of the KUKLA mine also represents Oslavany’s industrial history. It was built in 1910–1911 as one of the most modern mining structures in the Habsburg Monarchy. In 2012, it reopened as a publicly accessible cultural monument with interactive content. This reopening took place in the past; check current access arrangements before visiting. The Mining and Energy Museum is open to the public on weekends and selected significant days from May to September. During the summer holidays, it is open Tuesday to Sunday. As access is seasonal, check opening days before your arrival.

Convent, castle and collections

The Cistercian convent in Oslavany, Vallis sanctae Mariae, was the first Cistercian convent in Moravia. After passing into secular ownership in 1525, it was converted into a Renaissance castle. This progression traces the site’s history from a medieval convent to a later castle.

The lapidarium at Oslavany Castle displays architectural fragments and stonework from the collections of the museum in Ivančice. Exhibits include tombstones of citizens of Ivančice, objects from the former Jewish quarter in that town, and a fragment of the pillory column from Ivančice’s town square. The lapidarium project opened another part of the castle to the public; check current visiting arrangements in advance.

The Oslavany Firefighting Museum is located on the ground floor of the south wing and displays exhibits and documents. Its collection includes hand-operated or steam-powered fire pumps more than 100 years old. Unlike the lapidarium, this museum focuses on firefighting history and historical technology.

Church and geological educational trail

The Church of St. Nicholas in Oslavany is Gothic in origin and was later remodelled in the Baroque style. The restored Permocarboniferous educational trail by RNDr. Lubomír Malý offers another perspective on the history of the landscape. It is located a few hundred metres from Oslavany Castle. If you plan to visit, check the condition of the trail on site.

Bathing biotope and recreation

The natural bathing biotope in Oslavany has a public swimming lake, which is accessible for a fee during the swimming season. The biotope also includes a children’s water area with a paddling pool, water sprayers and a play fountain. Visitor parking for the bathing biotope and the sports facilities in the castle gardens is available on Sportovní Street and on the grounds of the TJ Oslavany stadium. As parking arrangements can change, check the latest information before travelling.

Permonium is a family amusement park in Oslavany that combines adventure, activity and nature with stories from a former coal mine. It offers a recreational approach to the mining theme, while the museum focuses on its long history and a model of a mine tunnel.

Discover more destinations: Velatice, Hradčany, Šerkovice, Loděnice, Želešice, Vlasatice, Predklasteri, Silůvky.

Back to the main travel overview: Brno-Country District.