Sights and Attractions
10-Z Nuclear Bunker
A former secret nuclear bunker beneath Špilberk for key figures of the city and regional administration. A few years ago it was opened to the public. Besides guided tours, you can even stay overnight.
Agudas Achim Synagogue
A functionalist synagogue and the only one in Moravia and Silesia that still serves its original purpose to this day.
Capuchin Crypt
Beneath the church of the Capuchin Monastery lies the Capuchin Crypt. Until the late 18th century, members of the order and its benefactors were buried here. Due to a special ventilation system and the dryness of the rooms, the bodies were naturally mummified. The oldest body dates from 1658. Also buried here is the Pandur leader Franz von der Trenck, the most famous prisoner of the Špilberk fortress.
Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul
The bishop’s seat and the city’s iconic landmark.
Jewish Cemetery
The largest Jewish cemetery in Moravia and, founded in 1852, the oldest cemetery in Brno. Free entry.
Labyrinth under the Cabbage Market
An almost one-kilometer complex of passages and cellars, 6 to 8 meters beneath one of Brno’s oldest squares.
Museums
A particular favorite with visitors is the Museum of Romani Culture – the only museum of its kind in Europe – and it’s located in a “Roma quarter.” Otherwise, in Brno you can also visit the Moravian Museum, the largest technical museum in Moravia, the Moravian Gallery, or the Jewish museum Mehrin.
Old Town Hall
The oldest secular building in the city, dating from the 13th century, with a 63-meter tower.
Ossuary at the Church of St. James
The second-largest ossuary in Europe after the one in Paris. The number of people interred here is estimated at over 50,000.
Špilberk Castle and the Casemates
Špilberk Castle was founded in the 13th century as the seat of the rulers of Moravia and to protect the city of Brno. In the 17th and 18th centuries it was transformed into a powerful fortress, and in 1783 it became a prison for serious criminals – and soon after for political prisoners from across the Austrian monarchy. At that time, Špilberk was considered the harshest prison in Europe.
Veveří Castle
Brno has another castle besides Špilberk: Veveří. It is less well known, but older. The castle lies near the reservoir and can be reached by bus 303 (departing from the Zoo). Note: since the stop “Hrad Veveří” is already in zone 310, in addition to your ticket for zones 100+101 you need to buy another ticket for 16 CZK.
Tips: From April to October you can also sail to the castle by boat – from “Bystrc, přístav” to “Hrad Veveří, přístaviště”; the trip takes 48 minutes. Departure times: https://www.dpmb.cz/cs/lodni-doprava-odjezdy-lodi
The castle is also reachable on foot from the stop “Přístaviště” (along the red tourist trail, about 8 km).
Villa Tugendhat
The functionalist villa of Greta and Fritz Tugendhat was built in 1929–1930 to a design by architect Mies van der Rohe. Greta received the plot as a wedding gift from her father, Alfred Löw-Beer, a prominent Jewish textile industrialist who also financed the entire construction. The villa ranks among Mies van der Rohe’s finest works and has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2001.
Note: Ticket numbers are limited and queues for tours are long. Even without a reservation, you can at least visit the garden for free. Since April 2023 it has again been connected to the garden behind Villa Löw-Beer.
Tip: If tickets are hopelessly sold out, it’s often still possible to visit the villa with the so-called BRNOPAS, which also grants free entry to many other sights. Tickets for specific dates are available at the earliest 7 days in advance.
Other villas: Löw-Beer, Stiassni
Water Reservoirs at Yellow Hill
Four unique underground water tanks, often compared to Istanbul’s Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarayı).