Olomouc Region

The region is in the eastern part of the country and borders on the Pardubice, South Moravian, Zlín and Moravian-Silesian Regions. Its northern part hosts the highest Moravian mountain range, Hrubý Jeseník, and the border with Poland. The region shares the highest peak, Praděd, with the neighbouring Moravian-Silesian Region. In the Jeseníky Protected Landscape Area visitors will find beautiful places and views of the countryside. The Zlatý Chlum observation tower, the Obří skály rock formation, one of the oldest documented caves at Na Špičáku and the Šerákpeak and surrounding hiking trails are all worth mentioning.

In the town of Javorník it is worth visiting Jánský Vrch Castle. Further south, tourists can admire Dlouhé stráně, the largest pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant in the country. The technical maturity and modern design make this waterworks one of the most interesting locations in the Czech Republic. The reservoir has even been included in the list of the Seven Wonders of the Czech Republic. The surroundings of the town of Litovel offer a range of activities, from a visit to the fairy-tale Bouzov Castle and surfing at the Nákloflooded sand quarry to a beer-tasting excursion at the Litovel Brewery. Tourists can enjoy a culinary treat in Loštice, closely associated with the traditional production of highly aromatic cheese, the Olomoucké tvarůžky. The town also houses the Olomoucké tvarůžky museum, while the local confectioner offers Tvarůžky cakes and cream roles.

The regional seat and so-called Queen of Haná, Olomouc, offers breath-taking architectonic gems. On Horní náměstí (Upper Square) there is the Column of the Holy Trinity. This High Baroque work of art has been placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The town hall on the square features an astronomical clock, an 'orloj'. In contrast to the orloj in Prague, it depicts a mosaic in the style of 20^th century socialism.

Student superstition

The round hole in the Marian Column on Dolní náměstí (Lower Square) is where students from the local university gather. Superstition says that if they crawl through the column they will be lucky in any tests they have the next day.

The historical part of the city is enhanced by the castle area and the St. Wenceslas Cathedral, the main tower of which rises to a height of over 100 m. The cathedral is the seat of the Olomouc Roman Catholic Archdiocese. In the 18^th century, Empress Maria Theresa had Olomouc rebuilt into a border fortress, and so tourists can admire the gates, towers, barracks and blockhouses throughout the city centre. The Theresian Armoury is today a library for Palacký University Olomouc. The city offers a range of cultural activities. The AFO popular science films festival and the Flora Olomouc international horticultural exhibition are held here every year.

Svatý Kopeček offers a stunning view of the whole of Olomouc and its surroundings. The local Basilica of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary attracts pilgrims, tourists and admirers of Baroque architecture. In Přerov there is an important archaeological site, famous especially for the excavation of mammoth bones. Tourists should also not miss out on the nearby Medieval Helfštýn Castle. Last but not least, Prostějov is also ideal for a visit. This city was famous for its textile and clothing industry and is home to an important Jewish community. Prostějov is also the birthplace of Otto Wichterle, the inventor of soft contact lenses and silon, a synthetic fibre.

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Olomouc Region

VisitCzechRepublic - Olomouc

Basic information

Area: 5 271.54 km²

Population: 622 930 (2021)

Regional capital: Olomouc

Highest point: Praděd (1 491 m above sea level)

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