Uherské Hradiště: City History and Culture

Uherské Hradiště reveals itself through different layers of time: from the city’s founding in 1257 to the remains of early churches and exhibitions on history and regional ways of life. Art, nature, and a water park add to the mix. As you plan your stay, you can explore these as distinct areas of interest—from archaeology and folk culture to exhibitions and nature.

City History and Early Sacred Architecture

The permanent exhibition “Uherské Hradiště – město královské” presents the key events in the city’s history, beginning with its founding in 1257. The virtual tour of the Expozice dějin města offers a different perspective on the past, showing what Uherské Hradiště looked like in 1670. Together, these two offerings provide insight into the city’s history across different periods.

At the Výšina sv. Metoděje archaeological site, Christian missionaries built one of the first stone churches north of the Danube around the turn of the 9th century. The site includes the remains of an important ecclesiastical complex from the era of the Great Moravian Empire. On site, you can see the reconstructed ground plan of the church buildings and an information panel about the site’s history and significance. The archaeological site is freely accessible; nevertheless, check the current situation before your visit.

Folk Culture, Architecture, and Events

The Skanzen Rochus in Uherské Hradiště-Mařatice presents the ethnography of the Dolňácko region around Uherské Hradiště. Its architectural features include an original wooden barn relocated from Břestek and several farmsteads. The subjects go beyond architecture: the open-air museum also showcases housing, work and ways of life, clothing, customs, and forms of folk expression. Here you can encounter both traditional building styles and various aspects of regional everyday life.

Recurring customs and seasonal events take place at the open-air museum throughout the year. These include Fašank and Easter, raising the maypole, the opening of the pastures, and the harvest, as well as the pilgrimage and the St. Stephen’s caroling tradition. Dates vary from year to year, so if you want to plan around a particular event, check the date for the relevant year.

Art and Historical Exhibitions

The Joži Uprka Gallery displays representative works from the collections of Nadace Moravské Slovácko, Národní galerie v Praze, Moravské galerie v Brně, Galerie výtvarného umění v Olomouci, Krajské galerie ve Zlíně, and Římskokatolické farnosti ve Strážnici. On the last Saturday of each month, you can join a guided tour of the exhibition with a curator. Dates and availability may change; check these details if you would like to attend the tour.

The Expozice Věznice Uherské Hradiště is located in the attic of the Reduta, not in the prison building, and is not wheelchair accessible. Photographs and Czech-language text panels tell stories from the prison’s history during the totalitarian regimes of National Socialism and communism. Its location, the language of the panels, and the lack of accessibility are useful points to consider when planning your visit.

Nature and Swimming

Park Rochus has been part of the Natura 2000 network since 2005. More than 100 bird species and 50 butterfly species live there. Aquapark Uherské Hradiště offers swimming and leisure pools, saunas, and relaxation areas. Zones and operating details may change, so check the latest information before your visit.

The attractions have distinct focuses: Park Rochus emphasizes protected-area status and biodiversity, while the water park offers swimming and leisure pools, saunas, and relaxation areas. Archaeological traces, regional folk culture, art, and historical exhibitions each have their own focus. These distinctions can help you decide what interests you during your stay in Uherské Hradiště.

Discover more destinations: Jankovice, Rudice, Slavkov, Boršice U Blatnice, Bílovice, Polešovice, Velehrad, Vyškovec.

For the broader travel overview: Okres Uherské Hradiště.