Kuřim offers a variety of discoveries: a church with medieval origins, a Renaissance castle, memorial sites from the Second World War and nature trails on wooded hills. Srpek Pond and swimming facilities add opportunities for walks, bike rides and time in the water. When planning your stay, you can choose what to focus on: city history, time outdoors or a mix of both.
Castle, Church and Memorial Sites
The Church of St. Mary Magdalene was founded by King Přemysl Otakar I in 1226 and initially built in the Romanesque style. After being plundered by the Swedes at the end of the Thirty Years’ War, it was rebuilt in its present-day late Baroque form from 1766 to 1772. Today, it also hosts cultural events, especially organ and vocal concerts. If a concert is a highlight of your visit, check the current event schedule.
A Renaissance castle was built on the site of the original fortress between 1592 and 1594. The exhibition “Kuřim – Na spojnici cest” presents the city’s history, from the Stone Age onwards. Its entrance is in the castle courtyard at Křížkovského 48/2. The courtyard also hosts public celebrations, music and theatre performances, and screenings at a summer cinema; the programme may change. So check the dates and visitor information before planning around a specific event.
The Water Chapel of St. John of Nepomuk is another local landmark. It stands at the foot of Kuřimská hora hill, and a spring flows from a niche in its lower section. The Kuřim tunnels, meanwhile, tell the story of the final days of the war. The underground passage system was created at the end of the Second World War; during the bombing raids and final battles in late April and early May 1945, it served as a shelter for 2,000 to 3,000 people from Kuřim and the surrounding communities. For information about visits, email stoly@kurim.cz; visitor numbers are limited for safety reasons. Check the visiting arrangements in advance. The Četnická stanice is a gendarmerie station dating from the First Republic period. A group of history enthusiasts presents the history of the gendarmerie there.
Nature Trails, Walks and Cycling Routes
The Zárubou a Horkou nature trail runs over the summits of the two wooded hills of Záruby and Horky above Kuřim. It was established in 2005 and has seven stops with carved information boards. Topics range from the landscape and local development to views of the peaks of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands and extinct species. The trail thus brings together natural and local history, so there is no need to explore the two subjects on separate outings.
The Kuřimská hora nature trail is 1.6 kilometres long and takes about 1.5 hours to walk at a leisurely pace. Ten boards cover forestry and natural history topics, complemented by interactive features. The route is accessible to pedestrians and cyclists, is considered moderately difficult and is described as suitable for families with young children and seniors. Weather and maintenance can affect conditions, so it is worth checking the situation before your visit.
At Srpek Pond, in Kuřim’s western recreational area, a walking path is described alongside a biotope. Several cycling routes around the pond connect the area with nearby villages. Walking and cycling are therefore different ways to explore the surroundings; the cycling routes also extend beyond the area to the villages.
Swimming and Finding Accommodation
In summer, the outdoor pool at the Wellness Kuřim complex has a 50-metre pool, a ten-metre family slide and a children’s paddling pool. The outdoor pool area also includes two beach volleyball courts. As this is a seasonal facility, check opening times and availability before your trip. The Wellness Kuřim aquapark has a leisure pool with a wild-water channel and a four-lane swimming pool; facilities there may also be changed or temporarily unavailable.
When looking for a hotel in Kuřim, consider which of these themes you want your stay to focus on: historic sites and exhibitions, walking or cycling routes, or swimming facilities. If you would like to combine several activities, plan around their respective visiting conditions and seasonal availability. Discover more destinations: Židlochovice, Radostice, Predklasteri, Žabčice, Říčky, Běleč, Ochoz U Tišnova, Modřice.
For the broader travel overview: Brno-Country District.
