Brno brings together very different stories: Villa Tugendhat represents modern residential architecture, while Špilberk Castle has a varied history as a fortress. Beneath the Vegetable Market, a labyrinth leads into the city’s underground world; markets, viewpoints and open spaces offer further perspectives.
Modern Residential Architecture and a Baroque Fortress
Villa Tugendhat is a pioneering work of 20th-century modern residential architecture. It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2001. A 60-minute tour takes you through the building. Access to the garden depends on weather conditions; exhibitions are located on the technical floor. In this way, architecture, garden and technical exhibition can be experienced as distinct aspects of a visit to the same place.
Špilberk also combines a striking architectural form with a long history. The casemates are considered an architectural curiosity and are among Brno’s most visited tourist attractions. The castle was first mentioned in writing in 1277 and was converted into a large Baroque fortress in the following century. Part of the fortifications was designated as a prison for the worst and most dangerous criminals.
Underground Traces and Everyday City Life
Beneath Zelný trh, a labyrinth extends down as far as eight metres. A guided tour includes an alchemist’s laboratory, an old wine cellar and a tavern from a bygone era. The cellars beneath the Vegetable Market served as storage rooms for owners and local merchants, and were also used as shelters during the war. Check the tour arrangements before your trip.
Brno’s history can also be read in individual dates: the Anthropos Pavilion was built in 1962 for an exhibition that Professor Karel Absolon had created in 1928. At the Cathedral of St Peter and Paul, the midday bells traditionally ring at 11 a.m. Both details offer a distinctive perspective on Brno’s cultural heritage—from an exhibition building to a bell-ringing tradition still told today.
A farmers’ market is held daily at Zelný trh. There is a public toilet in the market hall, and a freely accessible drinking fountain in the lower part of the square. Market times may change, as may the toilet’s availability and opening hours and the fountain’s availability. Check these details before your visit.
Views, Water and Nature Conservation
The observation platform at the Brno Observatory and Planetarium offers views of Brno by day and night. The Brno Reservoir on the Svratka offers a different experience: the area is used for recreation and sport, with beaches, boating opportunities and attractive surrounding scenery. At Brno Zoo, the focus is on nature conservation, education and breeding endangered species. The range of experiences spans city views and water activities to nature and species conservation.
Exploring Brno
Brno’s public transport began operating in 1869 with the first horse-drawn tram in the Czech lands. To reach Villa Tugendhat, take tram lines 3, 5 or 9 to Dětská nemocnice; from there, it is approximately 600 metres on foot. Tram line 4 serves the observatory and planetarium. You can also explore the city by bike: a relatively dense network of cycling routes covers the urban area.
Discover more destinations: Brno, Ĺ˝ebÄ›tĂn, Bystrc, HornĂ Heršpice, BĹ™eclav District, Blansko District, Brno-Country District, Znojmo District.
For the broader travel overview: South Moravia.
