Bítov Castle stands near the confluence of the Želetavka and Dyje rivers. As a royal fortress, it protected the state’s southern border from incursions from Austria. Other attractions include the Jindřich Daun nature trail, Cornštejn Castle with its protected natural area, brewing culture and the Bítovská Pivovarská 12 cycling circuit. This gives visitors with cultural, nature and active interests different ways to plan their visit, without turning them into one fixed itinerary.

The Jindřich Daun nature trail

The nature trail starts in Chvalatice and ends at Bítov Castle. It has six stops, is rated easy and can be visited year-round. Allow about two hours to explore it. This approximate time refers to the nature trail and does not automatically include other activities.

There is also a route from Bítov Castle to Cornštejn Castle, which can be reached on foot from Bítov. One specific route is the access from the reservoir bridge: it follows a road and a forest path and is 400 metres long. The two hours and the 400 metres answer different planning questions: the duration applies to visiting the nature trail, while the distance applies to the access route from the bridge.

Cornštejn Castle: landscape and history

Cornštejn Castle is surrounded by a nature reserve of the same name. It protects preserved forest stands, rocks and scree slopes. This puts a protected landscape, as well as the castle itself, at the heart of the visit. In the castle’s underground rooms, a themed installation illustrates what medieval castle cellars looked like and how they were used. The landscape and installation offer different points of interest: protected nature and the historical use of the castle.

Forest, water and activity

In the Obora forest area stands the stone pavilion “Rotunda”, a fragment of a neo-Gothic hunting pavilion from the 19th century. It adds a distinct architectural theme alongside the castles: this is the remains of a hunting pavilion, not another castle.

Horka Bay offers a different kind of activity: its natural outdoor swimming area rents out boats and pedal boats. The Bítovská Pivovarská 12 cycling circuit also appeals to hikers and recreational runners, as well as cyclists. Alongside cultural and nature attractions, visitors can choose activities by the water and options for getting active.

Brewing culture in Bítov

Since autumn 2015, Hasičský pivovar Bítov has brewed Czech lagers in a former fire station using traditional brewing technology. The former use of the premises and the equipment on display give the brewery a tangible setting: all the brewing equipment is on display in the taproom.

Groups can book a guided brewery tour with a tasting of Tesák beer. Check in advance whether booking is required. The activities also differ in how they can be planned: the nature trail has an approximate visiting time, while the brewery tour is a group activity that may require advance registration.

Discover more destinations: Oleksovice, Olbramovice, Vevčice, Hnanice, Bezkov, Velký Karlov, Chvalatice, Suchohrdly

For the overview of the wider region: Okres Znojmo.