Discover Jihlava: UNESCO Sites, Museums and Highlands

The Vysočina Region stretches along the rolling ridges of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands in the centre of the Czech Republic. UNESCO sites, museums and highland landscapes offer a variety of highlights.

UNESCO Sites and Historic Townscapes

In Telč, the UNESCO property includes the historic town centre, a chateau at its heart and two bodies of water that originally served as defences. The triangular market square is lined with Renaissance and Baroque houses, linked by a continuous arcade. The ensemble thus brings the two architectural periods together in a distinctive townscape.

The UNESCO property in Třebíč brings together the Jewish Quarter, the Jewish cemetery and the Basilica of St Procopius. Together, they bear witness to peaceful Jewish-Christian coexistence from the Middle Ages until the Second World War. The original street plan and spatial layout have been preserved in the Jewish Quarter. Its character also reflects historic social functions, including synagogues and schools.

The Muzeum Vysočiny Třebíč offers another glimpse into history. It is housed in a Renaissance chateau that was once a Benedictine monastery, and focuses on regional history and everyday life. At Zelená hora, the Pilgrimage Church of St John of Nepomuk was completed and consecrated in 1722. The historic landscape around the Cistercian monastery in Žďár received the European Heritage Label.

Museums and Regional Collections

The Muzeum Vysočiny Jihlava was founded in 1892. Its exhibitions occupy three architecturally valuable buildings on Jihlava’s main square; it also has three other branches. Topics range from regional history and the natural environment of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands to medieval sculpture, mining, coinage, geology and a lapidarium. The museum thus spans the natural world and landscape through to cultural and economic history.

Forests, Rivers and Scenic Trails

The Žďárské vrchy are the source region for the Sázava, Svratka, Oslava, Chrudimka and Doubrava rivers. The protected landscape area covers 709 square kilometres, almost half of which is forested. Devět skal is the highest mountain in the protected area. The landscape has also retained rural settlements featuring elements of Horácko folk architecture.

Four nature trails explore the Žďárské vrchy: Babín, Dářko, Žáková Hora–Tiskůvka and Krajem Chrudimky. Routes and trail markings may change, so it is worth checking the information before setting out. At the Dům přírody Žďárských vrchů, the landscape is presented through various historical periods. Maps there show hiking and cycling trails, as well as tourist attractions for further outings. Exhibition content, maps and visitor information may be updated; check the latest details when planning your trip.

Get Active

The mountain biking trails in the Vysočina Arena area range from family-friendly and wheelchair-accessible nature trails to challenging singletrack. There is also a paved pump track. Check the facilities and public-use hours before you arrive. Novoměstsko offers good cross-country skiing conditions; the Vysočina Arena is considered to have world-cup-level facilities for cross-country skiing, biathlon and mountain biking.

The Gravel UNESCO Tour combines gravel and forest roads, sections across fields and quiet roads. It passes through the Javořice forests and by Roštejn Castle, Jihlava, Žďár nad Sázavou, Třebíč and Nová Říše. Check route conditions before setting off. The D1 motorway crosses the region, making Vysočina easy to reach. It is advisable to check current traffic conditions before travelling.

Food is also part of the region’s character: Vysočina is associated with fine dining, traditional recipes, craft beers and locally made products.

Discover more destinations: Havlíčkův Brod District, Pelhřimov District, Jihlava District, Třebíč District, Žďár nad Sázavou District, Pilsen, South Bohemian Region, Olomouc.

Return to the main travel overview: Czech Republic.