Zlín region
There
are few regions in the Czech Republic that have such a wide spectrum of
landscapes, folklore and historic and technical monuments as the region
of Zlín. No other tourist region can offer at the same time mountains,
mannerist garden architecture, spas and high-quality local wines. We can
start in the area of the Beskydy Mountains and the Hostýn, Vsetín and Vizovice
hills. Within an hour’s drive from this mountainous area, you will find
yourself in a completely different landscape. You will be enchanted by
the garden architecture of the chateau in Kroměříž, since 1998 part of
the UNESCO heritage. A few dozen kilometres to the southeast lies Luhačovice,
the most famous spa in Moravia. Here you are on the edge of the district
of Slovácko, a region of wine, folklore and some of the most friendly people
in Central Europe.
Folk architecture
Travelling through the region of Zlín, you will get the impression
that you are travelling through several different regions with various
styles of folk architecture. In the south you will find the very singular
architecture of Slovácko with painted decorations on the houses, chapels
and wine cellars. Especially attractive are the buildings in Veletiny
and Vlčov. After a few dozen kilometres you will discover quite
remarkable wooden houses and churches in Jasenná, Valašské Klobouky
and Velké Karlovice. The buildings in Karolinka-Raťkov also
bear witness to a very different way of life. This is all documented in
a unique way in the Wallachian Open-Air Museum in Rožnov pod Radhoštěm,
the oldest open-air museum of folk architecture in Europe. If you want
to become acquainted with yet another form of folk architecture then you
can visit Rymice in the Haná region. There you can see a windmill, smithy
and saddlery.
History
It was in the town of Zlín that the shoe magnate Tomáš Baťa
built up a unique functionalist estate for his employees influenced by
the architecture of Gahura, Le Corbusier, Kotěra and Karfík. You can also
visit the Romanesque monuments in Hulín and on Mount Radhošť,
the Gothic Buchlov Castle, the castle ruins at Cimburk and
Lukov, the churches at Tečovice and Brumov-Bylnice,
and the Renaissance stately homes in Valašské Meziříčí, Vsetín and
Uherský Ostroh. Then there is the baroque chateau in Zlín, the Tudor
Gothic stately home at Nový Světlov and the Art Nouveau buildings
in Pustevny, Hostýn and the spa town of Luhačovice.
Traditions
The Zlín region is particularly interesting for those who love folklore
and old traditions. As regard traditions there are three distinct regions
- Haná, Wallachia and Slovácko. Each area has its own folk costumes, food,
drink and customs. In Haná you will be served with special Haná cakes,
homemade sausages and the local beer. In Wallachia your head will reel
as a result of the potent local plum brandy or Slivovice as it is called
in Czech. But in Slovácko you should make sure you visit the local wine
cellars. Nowhere else in the Czech Republic are folk customs so well preserved
as they are here. You can visit hundreds of local folk festivals held during
the year throughout the region. The most famous are the Haná Festivities
in Chropyně, the Rožnov and Liptál festivals, and the grandiose
“Ride of the Kings” in Vlčnov.
Castles and stately homes
The gardens and stately home in Kroměříž, part of the UNESCO
world heritage, are very well worth visiting. The unique architecture of
the gardens is complemented by a number of Romantic buildings, a rotunda,
colonnade and fountains. The chateau itself possesses the most extensive
library in the country; a picture gallery with works by Tizian, van Dyke,
and Cranach; and the impressive Assembly and Manský halls. You can try
out the most excellent wines in the Archbishop’s Cellars below the
chateau. Another unique place to visit is the baroque chateau, Italian
terrace gardens and English-style park at Buchlovice. You will also
find stately homes and gardens at Holešov, Lešná near Valašské
Meziříčí, Chropyně and Vizovice. The stately home at Zlín-Lešná
houses a collection of porcelain and artefacts from ancient Egypt. There
is a zoo and English-style park in the grounds.
Art and museums
If you want to acquaint yourself with the history of the region, you
should visit the Kroměříž District Museum, the Museum of Southeast Moravia
in Zlín, the Slovácko Museum in Uherské Hradiště, the Lapidarium at Velehrad,
the museums in Vsetín and Valašské Meziříčí, or the Wallachian Open-Air
Museum in Rožnov pod Radhoštěm. Unique art collections can be seen in Kroměříž,
Zlín and Chropyně, where there is an impressive collection of works by
the local painter Emil Filla. The Museum of the Shoe Industry in Zlín is
also very popular and there you can see shoes from the 18th century as
well as real Indian moccasins. In Uherský Ostroh there is a brewery museum,
in Kunovice a aviation museum, in Bystřice pod Hostýnem a furniture museum
and in Luhačovice a spa museum.
Spas and relaxation
Luhačovice is the main spa centre and not only of the Zlín region.
This town with a population of six thousand has quite unique Art Nouveau
architecture. During the season its population grows by about 20,000 visitors.
The clean air here is ideal for people with respiratory problems, while
the local mineral water is good for those suffering from diabetes, and
disorders of the digestive system and gall bladder. You can come here to
stay for medical treatment or just for rest and relaxation. The sulphur
baths at Ostrožská Nová Ves are very good for treating muscular,
joint and skin disorders. You can also try out “hippotherapy” (horse-riding
therapy) at Koryčany or visit the aquacentre at Staré Město.
You will find many quiet towns and villages where you can stay throughout
the region.
Sport
The region has thousands of kilometres of marked hiking paths and trails
designed for all age groups. You can visit interesting rock formations
in a number of locations. More experienced rockclimbers will prefer the
terrain of Čertovy skály (Devil’s Rocks). There are winter sports resorts
at Pustevny, Portáš-Kohútka, Velké Karlovice-Machůzky and Soláň.
For those who like skiing all year round there are artificial skiing slopes
in Zlín and Uherské Hradiště. Swimming is possible in public baths, reservoirs
and lakes at Horní Bečva, Bystřička, Všemina, Pozlovice, Pohrbek, Smraďavka,
Ostrožská Nová Ves, Rusava and other locations. There are also great
opportunities for fishing, tennis, golf and horse riding.
Active holidays
Because of its varied terrain, the Zlín region is idea for cycling
tours. The international Moravian Cycling Route passes through the region.
Visitors can also try out boating on the Baťa Canal. The canal was built
by Tomáš Baťa in the 1930’s. Today, 60 kilometres of the canal are negotiable
by motor boat or canoe. Other sports popular in the region are parachuting
and motor racing. Don’t forget that the region is also the home of the
famous Barum Rally.
-mk-