Bystrc: Zoo, Brno Reservoir and Forest Landscape

Bystrc combines wildlife experiences, water and expansive nature with a long local history. The Brno Reservoir, the Podkomorské lesy Nature Park and Brno Zoo are particularly characteristic of the area. For families planning varied days between active pursuits, relaxation by the water and cultural discoveries, the district offers several clearly distinct experiences.

Brno Zoo on Mniší hora

Brno Zoo is located on Mniší hora in the Brno-Bystrc district, near the Brno Reservoir. Covering an area of 65 hectares, it is a significant attraction in its own right within the district. Visitors can reach it by public transport, car or bicycle. On site, there are restaurants, snack stands, children's playgrounds and facilities for families with small children. This means that a visit to the zoo can be planned as a standalone excursion, without limiting it to simply viewing the animal enclosures.

Water experiences at the Brno Reservoir

Since 1945, the Brno Reservoir has been used primarily for recreation and sports. Large beaches with easy access to the water and opportunities for boat trips characterize this part of a stay. If you are looking for a place where active hours can be combined with more relaxed stretches of time, the reservoir offers a different perspective on Bystrc from the zoo or the historic sights. Its history of use since 1945 is just as much part of the character of the body of water as today's recreational and sporting opportunities.

Forests and the Svratka Valley

You will find a much quieter landscape in the Podkomorské lesy Nature Park. There, the Svratka flows through a rocky valley surrounded by extensive woodland. The nature park encompasses the largest forest complex within the city of Brno. This combination of river, rocks and forest clearly distinguishes the area from the open waterfront areas of the Brno Reservoir. Those who want to combine nature experiences with a stay within the city can therefore choose between water-based activities and a forested landscape in Bystrc.

Church and local history

Bystrc's history is also visible in the townscape. The Parish Church of St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist contains an early medieval core dating from the first half of the 13th century. This core is partly incorporated into the western enclosing wall of the main nave. The interior contains furnishings ranging from the Baroque period to the modern era, making the church interesting not only because of its age but also because of the different historical layers represented by its furnishings. In addition to agriculture, the historical livelihoods in Bystrc included crafts, especially baking, as well as river fishing. During the interwar period, Bystrc increasingly developed into a recreational area. The present-day combination of water, nature and leisure is therefore not entirely detached from the area's history, but builds on a recreational and living landscape that developed over a longer period.

Putting Bystrc into perspective as a destination

When making your selection, you can first consider which focus should define your stay: the expansive zoo with its family-oriented facilities, the Brno Reservoir with beaches and boat trips, the forest landscape along the Svratka, or the combination of the historic church and local history. These differences in particular make Bystrc a versatile destination for a trip where the same type of excursion does not have to be on the agenda every day. If you would also like to compare other places, you can find Žebětín, Brno and Horní Heršpice.

To the overarching travel overview: Brno.