Bystřice nad Pernštejnem offers several different ways to explore culture and architectural history: the town museum is housed in a building that has served various purposes in the past, the Church of St. Lawrence combines traces of several architectural styles, and the Bystřický Park of Miniatures presents buildings on a small scale. Replicas of architecture and close encounters with farm animals add further points of interest. The themes therefore differ not only in content, but also in whether historic buildings, models or hands-on activities take centre stage.
Town Museum and Architectural History
Since 1960, the Bystřice nad Pernštejnem Town Museum has been located in the former town hall, a former burgher’s house and a former brewery on the town square. The building thus brings together several former uses at one address. Its history can therefore be understood through the changing functions of the building even before looking at individual exhibitions.
One exhibition is entitled “Uranium in the Vysočina Region – Mining in the Bystřicko Area.” It broadens the range of topics to include uranium and mining in the Bystřicko region. As exhibitions may change, check whether it is currently on display before your visit.
St. Lawrence: Traces of Different Eras
The Church of St. Lawrence dates back to the 13th century. Originally a Romanesque building, it was later remodelled in the Gothic style; it acquired its present Baroque appearance during a renovation towards the end of the 17th century. Inside are Baroque and Rococo carved decorations, altars and a pulpit. The church’s different architectural periods offer a cultural and historical perspective distinct from that of a building whose past uses are primarily reflected in its history of use.
Models and Replicas
The Bystřický Park of Miniatures is a museum exhibition in the Lužánky district of Bystřice nad Pernštejnem, near the winter stadium. It recreates the Svratka Valley with around twenty models of castles, monasteries and other architectural monuments at a scale of 1:50. The scale ratio is easy to understand: one unit of length on the model corresponds to fifty units of length on the building it represents. This brings different types of architectural monuments together in a single landscape, rather than focusing solely on the development of one building.
The Horácká vesnice at Centrum EDEN offers a different perspective. It consists of seven buildings that are replicas of 19th-century structures. Unlike the town museum, whose building has served other purposes in the past, or the church with its various construction phases, this site focuses on replicas. The choice between these themes therefore depends on whether you are more interested in the history of a particular house, changes to a church building or a reconstructed ensemble.
Activities and Regional Markets
At the Farma koutek, visitors can feed, pet and photograph farm animals, as well as get close to them. This sets the activity apart from viewing architecture and models: here, direct interaction with animals takes centre stage.
The potato festivals at Centrum EDEN are held in conjunction with farmers’ markets. Those interested in regional markets can enjoy both as part of the same event. Dates may vary from year to year, so check the event dates before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Jabloňov, Bohuňov, Sviny, Chlumětín, Budeč, Měřín, Rudolec, Javorek.
For the overview of the wider area: Okres Žďár Nad Sázavou.
