Discover Zbýšov U Brna

Zbýšov U Brna combines railway history, mining and landscape into a destination with an unusually distinct character of its own. Historic steam and motor trains run from Zbýšov to Zastávka u Brna and back. There is also a mining museum, a permanent exhibition on the history of the Zbýšov railway, circular trails and striking reminders of the former hard-coal mining industry. If you are looking for more than just a single excursion during your trip, you can combine industrial history, outdoor activities and cultural discoveries here.

By Narrow-Gauge Railway and Through Mining History

During the narrow-gauge railway operating dates, the Vlastivědný spolek Zbýšov usually opens the Simson Mining Museum, which it manages. Its guides provide explanations there. Part of the exhibition at the mining museum in Zbýšov opened in May 2017. This makes a museum visit a complement to the train ride rather than merely a look at individual historic objects.

The Simson mine itself also represents the town's industrial past: work began on it in 1848 and it went into operation in 1853. Its headframe is an architectural and technical monument. It documents the industrial development of the Rosice–Oslavany hard-coal basin in the 19th century. The permanent exhibition on the history of the Zbýšov railway expands this theme to include the town's transport history.

Circular Trails, Spoil Heap and Expansive Views

For an active exploration, the circular trail around Zbýšov brings you closer to the town's mining past. It is approximately 10 km long and follows local markings with two loops, one larger and one smaller. Another circular route, the Stezka permoníků, passes through rolling terrain, along paths with distant views and through shady forests. This offers a variety of landscapes, so the town is not limited to its industrial heritage.

The Zbýšovská halda is particularly striking. It was formed in the 20th century through the gradual deposition of waste rock from the local hard-coal mining industry. The spoil heap is more than 40 m high, 500 m long and 250 m wide. Its southern slope offers panoramic views of the town and the surrounding landscape towards Padochov and Oslavany. The summit can be reached via an unmarked path from the end of Havířská Street. This specific access description is therefore intended for orientation on site, not as part of a signposted route.

Church and Natural Monuments

The Neo-Romanesque Kostel sv. Martina church is also part of Zbýšov's history. The present church was built in 1893–1894 on the site of an earlier church mentioned in a 1676 episcopal decree. Two bells have survived in its tower to this day: the larger dates from 1652 and the smaller from 1762. One of the existing altars is dedicated to Saint Barbara, the patron saint of miners. This makes the connection between the local church and mining history visible inside the building as well.

In the nearby area, Rybičková skála is currently designated as a protected natural formation. It is a continuous rocky gorge in the cut of the Neslovický potok, to the left of the road between Neslovice and Zbýšov. During investigations, approximately 200 remains of ray-finned fish and an insect wing were recovered from the eastern edge of the outcrop and from a site about 300 m to the south. For you, this nearby setting offers an additional natural-history perspective alongside the town's technical and ecclesiastical-history themes.

If you would like to compare other places for your travel planning, you can find Podolí, Senorady, Vojkovice, Katov, Tišnovská Nová Ves, Hostěnice, Nosislav and Ochoz U Brna here.

For the higher-level travel overview: Okres Brno-Venkov.