Hranice na Moravě: Discover Caves, Culture and Nature

Hranice na Moravě combines impressive natural phenomena with a multifaceted urban history. The Zbrašov Aragonite Caves and the Hůrka National Nature Reserve are located nearby, while the castle, synagogue, Jewish Cemetery and the Kostelíček pilgrimage site tell different chapters of the region’s cultural history. This gives you a choice of travel experiences ranging from caves and karst phenomena to history, cycle paths and peaceful discoveries within the town.

Castle, Museum and Jewish Heritage

The construction history of Hranice Castle began with a fortress built in the 14th century, first mentioned in 1398. Today, the castle houses a museum. The “Hranice na mušce” exhibition displays weapons from the Hranice depot. The castle courtyard has a distinctive architectural character thanks to its unique glass roof.

Jewish history is also present in several places in Hranice. The synagogue commemorates the Jewish community of Hranice, which came here at the beginning of the 17th century. The present building was constructed in 1863 in the then Moorish-Byzantine style and served for religious services until 1940. The Jewish Cemetery was declared a cultural monument in 1991. Its oldest preserved gravestone dates from 1684/1685. The cemetery has been open to the public since 1994; visits can be arranged on request through TIC Hranice, which lends visitors a key for this purpose.

Caves and Karst Landscape in the Surrounding Area

One of the area’s distinctive natural attractions is the Zbrašov Aragonite Caves. With a constant year-round temperature of 14.5 °C, they are considered the warmest caves in the Czech Republic. They have been open to the public since 1926. A visit to the caves therefore complements Hranice’s historical sights with a geological perspective.

The Hůrka National Nature Reserve near Hranice protects unique karst phenomena as well as rare flora and fauna. The reserve covers 37.45 hectares. The Hranická propast, located in the vicinity of Hranice, is part of the protected area. It has a measured total depth of 519.5 metres and a water depth of 450 metres. These specific measurements make the karst landscape a particularly distinctive focus of your trip, without confusing nature with the town’s history.

Educational Trail, Bečva Cycle Path and Pilgrimage Site

Within the town, the Arboretum of the Secondary Forestry School offers another way to experience the landscape. It contains unique woody plants and a botanical-geological educational rock garden. An approximately one-kilometre-long educational trail leads through the arboretum. Nine stations provide information about woody plants, ornithology, beekeeping, botany, environmental education and the geological past of the Moravian Gate. Depending on your interests, you can combine a short nature visit here with botanical and geological topics.

For active days, the Bečva Cycle Path begins in Hranice behind the bridge over the Bečva. It runs along the left bank of the Bečva to Týn nad Bečvou. The cycle path is suitable for trips by bicycle, kick scooter or inline skates. Kostelíček in Hranice has a different character: it is a pilgrimage site whose complex includes 14 Stations of the Cross chapels. The first written mention of Kostelíček dates from 1492.

Choosing Hranice as a Travel Destination

Hranice is easily accessible by train, car and bus. This is a clear practical advantage when looking for accommodation for a trip with varied excursion interests. Culture at the castle and Jewish sites, nature in the surrounding area, an educational trail and the Bečva Cycle Path each offer their own focus.

You can find more places for planning your trip at Grymov, Rokytnice, Podolí, Čechy U Přerova, Uhřičice, Žákovice, Šišma and Osek Nad Bečvou.

For the higher-level travel overview: Okres Přerov.