Kroměříž District: Garden Art, History and Nature

Garden art, architectural history, exhibitions, wine traditions and landscapes offer different ways to shape a trip in Kroměříž District. Attractions range from an early Baroque ensemble in Kroměříž to wildlife observation and self-guided walks. The themes that appeal to you most can shape the character of your trip.

Garden Art and Architecture in Kroměříž

The ensemble in Kroměříž comprises the Archbishop’s Palace and the Podzámecká zahrada and Květná zahrada gardens. Together they form an early Baroque architectural ensemble; Květná zahrada influenced garden design in Moravia. It draws on French, Italian, Dutch and German garden models, with Versailles serving as its inspiration. Its features include a central pavilion with a Foucault pendulum, a colonnade, fountains, green mazes, greenhouses and Jahodové kopečky.

The Podzámecká zahrada, by contrast, is a 64-hectare English landscape park. Rare trees, waterways, ponds, historic structures and a small zoo area are among its features. The different garden concepts offer a direct comparison: various European models are set alongside the design of an expansive landscape park.

Exhibitions and Architectural History

At the Muzeum Kroměřížska, an underground exhibition traces the cultural and historical development of Kroměříž, from the city’s beginnings to the early modern period. Holešov has a different focus. On the first floor of the Šachova synagoga is the exhibition “Židé a Morava” about Jewish history in Moravia. The synagogue is the only one of its kind preserved in its original form as a Polish-type synagogue and is considered a unique example worldwide.

The Muzeum v přírodě Rymice combines seven buildings of East Haná folk architecture with a fortress and a farmstead. The village buildings stand at their original locations and offer insights into everyday life and agriculture over the past two centuries. They thus complement the exhibitions in Kroměříž and Holešov with a view of rural life.

The Větrný mlýn Velké Těšany also tells a story of architectural history: the wooden windmill is of the German type and was declared a national cultural monument in 2014. Its three levels are called podemlýní, mlýnice and zanáška; they correspond to the ground floor, first floor and second floor. The mill has been open to the public since 1979.

Forest Landscapes and Trails

Hostýnské vrchy is a Natura 2000 site of European importance covering 2,396.5914 hectares. Preserved woodland and unregulated streams provide refuges for rare animal and plant species. Extensive forest habitats are also breeding grounds for birds, including the black woodpecker. At Chropyňský rybník, other natural features take centre stage: the site is home to floating water chestnut and a rich birdlife.

Barbořina reaches 265 metres at its summit; from there, views extend over Kroměříž, the Hornomoravský úval and Hostýnské vrchy. Barbořina is also home to the approximately one-kilometre-long Naučná stezka veverky Čiperky. Kroměříž also has short themed walks that can be explored without a guide and are intended for a broad range of visitors.

Trasa 1 offers a concrete guide for planning your time: Arcibiskupský zámek a zahrady is 1.5 kilometres long and takes around 30 minutes if you do not visit individual attractions. This route information can be compared with the approximate length of the Barbořina nature trail, without assigning a walking time to that trail.

Wine Traditions and Trip Planning

Kroměříž has a wine tradition dating back to the 13th century. Wine experiences in palace cellars and wine bars complement the cultural attractions. If you are planning a specific visit, check what each venue has to offer.

As an excursion idea, the Hostýnská vyhlídka connects Kroměříž, Hulín, Rymice, Holešov, Brusné, Rusava, Svatý Hostýn and Bystřice pod Hostýnem, in that order. You can also combine the excursion with a return train journey to Kroměříž. Check the timetable before planning.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Brusne, Troubky-Zdislavice, Bystrice Pod Hostynem, Koryčany, Martinice, Hoštice, Střížovice, Bezměrov, Kremsier, Blazice, Břest, Chomýž, Chropyně, Chvalčov, Holešov, Jarohněvice, Kostelany, Kostelec U Holešova, Litenčice, Míškovice, Pačlavice, Mrlínek, Zdounky, Prusinovice, Rajnochovice, Roštín, Rusava, Šelešovice, Skaštice, Slavkov Pod Hostýnem, Střílky, Bařice-Velké Těšany, Zborovice, Zlobice, Kvasice, Bořenovice, Cetechovice, Dřínov, Honětice, Horní Lapač, Hulín, Chvalnov-Lísky, Karolín, Kyselovice, Lechotice, Loukov, Lubná, Ludslavice, Lutopecny, Soběsuky, Morkovice-Slížany, Němčice, Nítkovice, Nová Dědina, Osíčko, Pacetluky, Počenice-Tetětice, Podhradní Lhota, Rataje U Kroměříže, Prasklice, Pravčice, Přílepy, Roštění, Rymice, Sulimov, Třebětice, Uhřice, Věžky, Vítonice, Vrbka, Zahnašovice, Záříčí, Zástřizly, Žeranovice.

For the broader travel overview: Zlin.