The Great Moravia Monument stands above the foundations of the Great Moravian church “Na Valách.” In Staré Město, archaeological sites and churches sit alongside museums, leisure activities and things to do on the Baťa Canal. This gives you a clear choice when planning your stay: would you like to focus mainly on the region’s early history, explore technical collections, or spend time outdoors and by the water?
Great Moravian history at several sites
The Great Moravia Monument has been a national cultural monument since 1969. Its three exhibitions focus on the history of Great Moravia, Constantine and Methodius, and the prehistory of the Uherskohradišťsko region. Together, the topics cover Great Moravian history, the two historical figures, and the region’s earliest traces. When planning a visit, you can choose which exhibition themes interest you most.
Špitálky is also a national cultural monument. The site contains the foundations of a Great Moravian church, as well as traces of earlier settlements. The foundations at Na Špitálkách were discovered in 1949; excavations at Špitálky also uncovered a cemetery with 42 richly furnished graves. These specific finds give the archaeological part of a stay a distinct focus.
The churches of St. Michael and Svatého Ducha have different connections to the Great Moravian past. St. Michael stands on the site of a 9th-century rotunda and includes the former ossuary chapel of St. John the Baptist. Inside, visitors can see the remains of the former rotunda beneath an illuminated glass panel. At Svatého Ducha, the rotunda-shaped floor plan symbolizes a Great Moravian church; the main nave is clad in glass. The vestibule is open to visitors every day during the daytime, but visits are not possible during services. If you are planning to see this interior in particular, check your visit time against the schedule of services or special events.
KOVOZOO: metal animals, vehicles and crafts
KOVOZOO displays metal animals on the reconstructed site of a former sugar factory. The exhibits also include industrial, fire service and agricultural machinery. The Veteran Museum offers another perspective on technology: its permanent indoor exhibition of historic cars and motorcycles opened in 2019. It features around six dozen vehicles made from the beginning of the 20th century through the 1970s. Admission to the Veteran Museum is included in the KOVOZOO admission price, as is admission to the Maják Šrotík observation tower. As admission arrangements can change, it is a good idea to check before your visit.
In March 2024, the KOVOZOO terrarium moved to larger premises in Staré Město. Among the animals on display are pythons, venomous snakes, a caiman, desert and rainforest lizards, monitor lizards, poison dart frogs, turtles, spiders and scorpions. Guided tours with commentary are available for schools and groups and can be tailored to their needs; it is best to arrange them in advance. Those interested in crafts can also take part in courses at the forge, where visitors can try their hand at blacksmithing. Reservations are required outside the summer holidays. The Blacksmithing Museum is open daily and accessible to KOVOZOO visitors; however, its opening hours depend on KOVOZOO’s operations.
Cycling, boating and outdoor activities
The marked, paved cycle path along the Baťa Canal and the Morava River passes through Staré Město and is suitable for road bikes. Check the current route conditions before setting out. Hamboot rents motorboats and canoes for trips on the Baťa Canal and the Morava River, offering a different way to spend time by the water. Houseboats are also available for longer stays on the Baťa Canal and in the surrounding area; availability and operating conditions may change.
To reach the Staré Město mooring, access is from the road bridge. A boat slipway is located behind the premises of a nearby car dealership. As access arrangements may change, check directions before your visit if you plan to use the mooring.
There are also various ways to stay active on land. The seasonal Širůch outdoor swimming pool has a 50-metre outdoor pool with a slide, a children’s paddling pool, a beach volleyball court, table tennis and a children’s playground. At the Rybníček Staré Město sports park, Človíčkova stezka combines a sports museum with an outdoor wooden playground, physical activity and learning for children. The MOTOKÁRY Staré Město outdoor go-kart track is on the edge of the REC Group site. It offers two-seater karts, children’s karts, 50 cc EASY Min karts and karts specially adapted for people with disabilities. No driving licence is required; check the age and briefing requirements before taking part. The vehicles available may vary depending on operating hours.
Choose a stay that suits you
There is also a clear difference between staying at a hotel and spending a longer time on the canal: Hamboot offers houseboats for this purpose, subject to seasonal availability. Check availability if this type of stay is an option for your plans. For seasonal activities such as boating and the outdoor pool, it is also worth checking current operating conditions in advance.
Discover more destinations: Jankovice, Stříbrnice, Uherské Hradiště, Polešovice, Salaš U Velehradu, Komňa, Kunovice, Tupesy.
See the main travel guide: Uherské Hradiště District.
