Holešov – Castle, Culture and Cycling Routes

Holešov combines historical discoveries with signposted trails and a variety of outdoor activities. Those looking for accommodation for a cultural and active stay will find different ways to explore the area: a self-guided heritage trail, castle rooms with rich furnishings, reminders of Jewish history, a freely accessible castle garden and two designated cycling routes.

Historical Discoveries at Your Own Pace

Holešov’s urban heritage trail is marked with a yellow-and-white square. You can complete it independently without a guide and follow it on an interactive town map. This allows you to explore the town’s historical side in your own order, without a guided tour being required. The three-nave Baroque Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary stands on the site of a smaller Gothic church dating from around the 14th century. The present church building was completed in 1708. A tour of Holešov Castle includes the Sala terrena with rich stucco decoration and frescoes, the large ceremonial hall, the castle chapel and the gentlemen’s room. Other historic halls serve as the castle gallery and present exhibitions by renowned Czech and foreign artists. A special focus is Zemanova kovárna. During a guided tour with commentary, you can see the original workshop, the restored clockwork mechanism of the castle tower and a folk-style room from the borderland between Haná and Wallachia. Since mid-2012, it has also housed the exhibition of the Small Blacksmith Museum. The Šach Synagogue is also part of Holešov’s historical profile. The Renaissance building has preserved its core to this day. The women’s gallery and the former Jewish school house the exhibition “Jews and Moravia”. It provides information about the history of Jews in Moravia, from the earliest references through the Second World War. The Jewish cemetery in Holešov is freely accessible.

Castle Park and Trails in the Town

Holešov Castle Garden is freely accessible 365 days a year and offers active as well as passive leisure opportunities. In the castle park, a unique water system in the shape of Neptune’s trident forms the dominant centrepiece. The so-called Rose Garden also contains a monument to the composer F. X. Richtr and an observatory. A red-marked hiking trail also passes through Holešov.

Holešov as a Starting Point for Cycling Tours

The documented routes can provide a concrete point of reference when choosing accommodation in Holešov. The 55-kilometre cycling route No. 5033 begins in Kroměříž, passes through Hulín, Pravčice, Količín and Holešov, which it reaches at kilometre 18, and ends in Hustopeče nad Bečvou. The 27-kilometre cycling route No. 5036 begins in Holešov. At Holajka, it branches off from cycling route No. 5033 and continues via Přílepy, Lukoveček, Fryšták, Lešná, Štípa, Hvozdná and Slušovice to Dešná, where it connects to long-distance cycling route No. 46. The entire route 5036 runs on paved roads, predominantly on Class III roads, and is suitable for all types of bicycles. Further entries for orientation are Slavkov Pod Hostýnem (Slavkov Pod Hostýnem), Pravčice (Pravčice), Cetechovice (Cetechovice), Martinice (Martinice), Břest (Břest), Horní Lapač (Horní Lapač), Nová Dědina (Nová Dědina) and Počenice-Tetětice (Počenice-Tetětice).

For the higher-level travel overview: Kroměříž District.