Velke Mezirici: Castle History, Museum and Nature

Velké Meziříčí brings together the town’s history and natural attractions, offering a stay with a range of possibilities. At the castle, castle traditions, museum collections and castle salons come together; the tower of the Church of St. Nicholas offers views over the town, while Balinské údolí has trails through the river valley. If you are looking for a hotel, you can first decide whether culture, views or time in the nature park should shape your stay. The attractions also differ in whether you are planning a visit in town or a walk through the countryside.

Between Prague and Brno

Velké Meziříčí is located close to the D1 motorway between Prague and Brno, approximately at the 145th kilometre when measured from Prague. Balinské údolí extends west of the town; the castle, museum and church tower are attractions within the town. When planning, you can weigh up a focus on the town against spending time in the river valley.

Castle, Museum and Castle Salons

The original castle of Velké Meziříčí was built around 1230 and is one of Moravia’s oldest stone aristocratic castles. The Velké Meziříčí Museum is housed in the castle and was founded in 1893 as a regional museum. It presents historical and natural history collections. The dates mark two distinct historical reference points: the early founding of the castle and the later establishment of the museum.

The museum tour also includes the castle salons, which recall the imperial manoeuvres in Meziříčí. This means the museum visit goes beyond the collections to include the rooms of the castle. The spacious castle park next to the castle is freely accessible. For your day’s plans, you can therefore treat a museum visit and time in the park as different options in the castle grounds.

Church Tower with Views of the Town

The tower of the Church of St. Nicholas houses an exhibition of historical photographs of Velké Meziříčí, a 3D model of the town and the tower keeper’s apartment. The exhibition and model show the town in two different ways; the tower keeper’s apartment adds to the displays in the tower. There are 153 steps to the gallery. From there, you can enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the entire town.

The tower is scheduled to close in 2026 for reconstruction. If you are including the tower in your plans, check the latest visitor information about the announced closure before your visit.

Trails in Balinské údolí

Balinské údolí Nature Park was established in 1984 and covers an area of 440 hectares. It extends through the Balinka valley west of Velké Meziříčí, via Baliny to Uhřínov, and protects the scenic valley of the naturally meandering river. The park is suitable for hiking, cycling and cross-country skiing. There is an educational trail; part of the route has been adapted for cycling, and a blue-marked hiking trail also runs through the park.

One specific option is a 15-kilometre circular route through Balinské údolí. It starts on the road from Velké Meziříčí to Uhřínov, opposite the turn-off to Hotel Amerika. Parking is available for a car at the starting point. The route distance and the described starting point give you fixed reference points for planning; the other trails and activities in the nature park are distinct options.

Fajtův kopec Lookout Tower

The iron Fajtův kopec lookout tower near Velké Meziříčí is 36 metres high. Its shape is intended to evoke a DNA double helix; the observation platform is 30 metres above the ground. Access to the platform is via a self-service machine. As access arrangements may change, check the latest visitor information before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Polnička, Bobrůvka, Malá Losenice, Dolní Rožínka, Vír, Horní Rožínka, Chlum-Korouhvice, Poděšín

For the broader travel overview: Okres Žďár Nad Sázavou.