Rájec-Jestřebí lies at the confluence of the Svitava and Býkovka rivers, in a picturesque valley at the transition between the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands and the Drahanská vrchovina uplands. The town combines a distinctive landscape setting with a rich cultural history: a Neoclassical castle, religious buildings and artworks, and a marked trail to the ridge give different visits their focus. When planning, it is worth considering both the historic sites and the seasonal offerings.
Castle architecture and garden spaces
Rájec nad Svitavou State Castle is a national cultural monument and a French-style Neoclassical castle. Members of the noble Salm family had it built to plans by French architect Isidor Amand Canavel between 1763 and 1769. The construction period, French design and the family’s role give the castle a specific historical context. The castle’s nursery gardens include three terraces connected by stairways. This layout makes the design of the gardens an architectural subject in its own right, alongside the castle building.
Valley, rivers and a hiking route
Those wishing to focus on the landscape can follow the Jedle–Hořice excursion route. It starts at Rájec-Jestřebí railway station and runs via Jestřebí along a well-marked hiking trail to the ridge. From there, you can enjoy views of the town and its surroundings. The route and its destination on the ridge give the walk a clear direction, without assuming a particular walking time. As trail markings and conditions may change, check them before setting out in line with your plans.
Traces of the town’s history
The Church of All Saints is an architecturally significant landmark in the town centre. Its presbytery contains uncovered 15th-century wall paintings. The statue of the Archangel Raphael, dating from 1749, stands in the square in front of the church. Together, the paintings and the later statue represent different chapters in the local history of architecture and art.
The statue of St Florian also has its own story: it dates from 1888, was made by the ironworks in Blansko, and is considered evidence of artistic craftsmanship in the late 19th century. In Jestřebí, a cast-iron cross near the Chapel of St Anne commemorates the farmer Josef Fojt. It was erected in 1868, after Fojt drowned during the flood of 13 June 1867. Its location, date and circumstances make this monument a personal part of local remembrance.
The town’s cultural history also includes an amateur theatre tradition, sustained by generations of actors to this day. Alongside architecture and the preservation of historic monuments, visitors interested in different forms of cultural expression can also discover an ongoing theatre scene.
Choose when to visit based on your interests
Seasonal offerings take place at different times. In June, the castle hosts concerts as part of the International Music Festival of the 13 Cities, Concentus Moraviae; the programme and exact dates vary, so it is advisable to check the latest information before planning. In late summer, visitors can admire dahlias outdoors at the Langr nursery. The rare Rájec camellias are cared for and exhibited in the castle rooms every two years. A June festival, late-summer blooms and a biennial exhibition thus offer different reasons to choose a time to visit.
Discover more destinations: Sebranice, Brťov-Jeneč, Bořitov, Kněževes, Blansko, Vlkov, Rozsíčka, Blansko-Oburka.
For the broader travel overview: Blansko District.
