Prostějov: Renaissance, Culture and Nature

If you’re looking for a hotel in Prostějov, your interests can help determine which destination you choose for your stay: the themes here range from Renaissance architecture and regional history to stargazing, folklore and nature trails. The sights offer different ways to experience the city—from a castle tour and guided architecture tours to exhibitions and observation programs. When planning, it’s worth distinguishing between regular offerings and events with dates that vary.

Renaissance and Regional History

Prostějov Castle is an important historical monument and a valuable example of Moravian Renaissance architecture. Jan z Pernštejna had it built between 1522 and 1526 as part of the city’s fortifications. The regular tour includes the savings bank director’s office, the exhibition “Prostějovské stopy Jano Köhlera,” Renaissance rooms and a ballroom. The tour content may change; check the current details before your visit. Exhibitions and workshops are also held at the castle throughout the year, and the specific program may vary.

The museum and gallery in Prostějov feature the permanent exhibition “Za tajemstvím střepu – pravěké dějiny Prostějovska.” It focuses on the prehistory of the Prostějov region and complements the view of its Renaissance heritage with a much earlier period of regional history. Prostějov therefore brings together different periods: the 16th-century city fortifications and the region’s prehistory.

Architecture, Tours and City Views

The National House, designed by Jan Kotěra, is a cultural center with a theater hall. Guided tours of the Art Nouveau building cover its history and architecture. Group tours can be arranged by prior agreement and last 60 minutes. Check dates and availability before your trip if you plan to take a tour.

The town hall also brings together architecture and city history: it is a national cultural monument. Visitors can climb the tower of the Art Nouveau town hall on regular guided tours and enjoy views of the city center. Availability may be seasonal, so check tour dates before your visit. Unlike the guided tours at the National House, which focus on the building’s history and architecture, the town hall tower offers a view over the city center.

Folklore and Stargazing

The traditional “Prostějovské hanácké slavnosti” takes place on the second weekend in September; the exact dates vary from year to year. The festival includes folk performances as well as stalls selling gingerbread hearts, handicrafts and other food. If you’d like to combine your trip with the festival, check the dates for the year in question.

The Prostějov Observatory offers evening observations of the Moon, planets, stars, galaxies and artificial space stations. During the day, visitors can observe the Sun using portable astronomical telescopes. Lectures, exhibitions, and film, music and literary evenings round out the program. You can choose between observing the sky and attending events with a range of cultural themes. Check the specific observation times before your visit.

Gardens and Nature Trails

The botanical garden on Lidická Street in the heart of Prostějov showcases the diversity of plant life and various temperate-zone ecosystems. Another way to experience nature is to visit the Hloučela biocorridor: completed in November 2021, the health trail adds eight stations to the existing educational trail. The features described include a water trail, an observation station, a labyrinth, a dendrophone and a peephole with bird models.

The history of a place can also be seen in its present-day form. Part of the grounds of the old Jewish cemetery is now a park, with a preserved avenue of lime trees running through its center. The former cemetery buildings and gravestones have not been preserved. Together with the botanical garden and the stations in the biocorridor, this creates a distinct focus alongside the castle, museum and architecture: plants, landscape and traces of the city’s history.

Discover more destinations: Hrubčice, Výšovice, Lešany, Vincencov, Konice, Bílovice, Klenovice Na Hané, Pivín.

For the broader travel overview: Okres Prostějov.