Jihlava: UNESCO culture, highlands and active experiences

Vysočina stretches along the gently rolling uplands of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands in central Czechia. The region combines historic towns, protected landscapes and a wide range of activities. If you want to choose between culture, nature and active pursuits for your trip, you will find very different experiences here: UNESCO sites in Telč and Třebíč, forest landscapes in the Žďárské vrchy, museums in Jihlava and Třebíč, as well as cycling and winter sports opportunities around Nové Město na Moravě.

UNESCO sites and living history

Telč impresses with a UNESCO World Heritage Site consisting of the historic town centre, a chateau at its heart and two bodies of water originally used for defence. The historic centre features a triangular market square surrounded by Renaissance and Baroque burgher houses with a continuous arcade. The combination of the square, chateau and water makes Telč a clearly defined cultural focal point for a stay centred on exploring the town.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site in Třebíč combines the Jewish Quarter, the Jewish Cemetery and the Basilica of St Procopius as testimonies to peaceful Jewish-Christian coexistence from the Middle Ages to the Second World War. The Jewish Quarter preserves its original street plan, spatial layout and historic social functions, including synagogues and schools. At the Muzeum Vysočiny Třebíč, you can experience regional history and everyday life in a Renaissance chateau that was formerly a Benedictine monastery.

Jihlava and Žďár nad Sázavou also broaden the region’s cultural profile. Founded in 1892, the Muzeum Vysočiny Jihlava presents its exhibitions in three architecturally valuable buildings on Jihlava’s main square and has three additional branches. Its themes range from regional history and the vibrant natural world of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands to medieval sculpture, mining, coinage, geology and lapidary collections. The Pilgrimage Church of Saint John of Nepomuk on Zelená hora was completed and consecrated in 1722. The historic landscape around the Žďár Cistercian monastery also bears the European Heritage Label.

Forests, rivers and regional landscapes

The Žďárské vrchy Protected Landscape Area covers 709 square kilometres; almost half of its area is covered by forests. The headwaters of the Sázava, Svratka, Oslava, Chrudimka and Doubrava rivers are located in this area. Devět skal is the highest mountain in the protected landscape area. At the same time, the landscape preserves rural settlements with elements of Horácko folk architecture.

The Dům přírody Žďárských vrchů presents the landscape from different historical periods and provides maps showing hiking and cycling routes as well as tourist destinations for further excursions. Four educational trails explore the Žďárské vrchy: Babín, Dářko, Žáková Hora–Tiskůvka and Krajem Chrudimky. This allows you to deliberately enhance the natural attractions of your trip with landscapes, bodies of water and regional history.

Cycling and winter experiences

The Gravel UNESCO Tour combines gravel and forest roads, field sections and lightly trafficked roads. Its route leads through the Javořické forests, to Roštejn Chateau, Jihlava, Žďár nad Sázavou, Třebíč and Nová Říše. The Vysočina Arena offers mountain bike trails ranging from child-friendly and wheelchair-accessible nature paths to challenging singletrack trails, as well as a paved pump track.

Novoměstsko is considered an area with good conditions for cross-country skiing. The Vysočina Arena also meets the requirements for World Cup events in cross-country skiing, biathlon and mountain biking. Depending on the character of your trip, you can combine cultural sightseeing with a more active focus. The regional cuisine includes first-class dining, traditional recipes, craft-brewed beers and locally produced products.

Regional contrasts between town and highlands

Historic town centres define Telč, Třebíč and Jihlava, while the Žďárské vrchy are characterised by forest landscapes, educational trails, river sources and rural architecture. The Gravel UNESCO Tour, the Vysočina Arena and Novoměstsko complement this picture with cycling and winter sports. The region includes the sub-regions Havlíčkův Brod District, Pelhřimov District, Jihlava District, Třebíč District and Žďár nad Sázavou District.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

South Moravia, Central Bohemia, Olomouc.