Discover Bítov: Castles, Trails and Brewing Traditions

A stay in Bítov brings together a range of themes: castles and their history, walking trails, protected landscapes, water and brewing traditions. If you are looking for a hotel in Bítov, you can first decide which activities you want to shape your trip. The following places and activities offer specific and varied starting points for your plans.

Castles, History and Architecture

Bítov Castle stands above the confluence of the Želetavka and Dyje rivers. As a royal fortress, it protected the southern border of the state from incursions from Austria. Its location and former defensive role give the castle a clear historical focus.

Cornštejn Castle also combines architectural history with a distinct natural setting. It is surrounded by a nature reserve of the same name, which protects surviving woodland, rocks and scree slopes. In the castle’s underground rooms, a themed exhibition illustrates what medieval castle cellars looked like and how they were used. Cornštejn thus offers distinct historical and natural points of interest: its protected landscape and the use of the castle rooms.

The stone pavilion known as the “Rotunda” also stands in the Obora woodland. It is a fragment of a 19th-century Neo-Gothic hunting pavilion. Three themes can therefore be distinguished for a cultural history focus: border defence, the use of medieval cellars and Neo-Gothic hunting architecture.

Walking Trails

The Jindřich Daun nature trail starts in Chvalatice and ends at Bítov Castle. It has six stops and takes about two hours to explore. The trail is rated easy and can be visited year-round. It therefore provides a guide to the time needed, as well as a clear starting and ending point for planning an excursion.

A route leads from Bítov Castle to Cornštejn Castle; Cornštejn can be reached on foot from Bítov. Conditions on this route may vary. Access from the reservoir bridge to the castle is 400 metres long and follows a road and a forest path.

The walking options differ in their endpoints: the nature trail runs from Chvalatice to Bítov Castle, while the other route runs from Bítov Castle to Cornštejn Castle. When planning, you can therefore choose between a trail with six stops and a connection between two castles.

Water, Activity and Brewing Traditions

At Horka Bay, the natural outdoor swimming area offers boat and pedal boat rentals. This adds an activity on the water to the historical sites and walking trails; if that is important to your trip, you can combine your visit with a boat rental.

The Bítov Pivovarská 12 cycling loop attracts not only cyclists but also walkers and recreational joggers. The route is therefore also of interest to travellers who want to get active on foot or by jogging.

Since autumn 2015, Czech pale lagers have been brewed at Hasičský pivovar Bítov in the premises of a former fire station, using traditional brewing technology. Groups can book a guided brewery tour with a tasting of Tesák beer; booking may be required. The entire brewing equipment is on display in the taproom. This makes both the former use of the premises and the brewing equipment central to this experience.

Discover more destinations: Plaveč, Bantice, Hostim, Mikulovice, Hrušovany Nad Jevišovkou, Miroslav, Bojanovice, Džbánice

For the broader travel overview: Okres Znojmo.