The high plateau of the Vysočina region has rolling green hills and constant wind. You are at the crossroads of the country where the weather is always a bit cooler and the forests are thick with spruce. Three different sites here show the peak of old architecture from star shaped churches to Jewish quarters. The landscape is dotted with small granite quarries and quiet village ponds. Visit the historic town of Telč to see the colorful renaissance square that looks like a painted stage set. The many stone crosses along the roads tell stories of old travelers and ancient local legends.
The air is crisp on the peaks of the Žďárské Hills where massive rock formations hide in the woods. You can find the source of several major rivers tucked away in the marshy meadows. Grand castles like Pernštejn sit on rocky spurs looking like they are part of the natural stone. Every small road leads to a peaceful village with a stone bell tower and a quiet square. Explore the unique design of the Pilgrimage Church of St. John of Nepomuk with its complex geometric shapes and bright white walls. The rolling hills are perfect for a long drive through a landscape of patchwork fields and dark woods.
Travelers here find a sense of calm and space away from the big crowds. You can visit the museum of traditional crafts or hike to the top of a wooden lookout tower. The roads are a series of gentle curves through a landscape of fields and forests. It is a region of quiet beauty and solid stone that feels like the sturdy backbone of the country. Look for the small roadside stands selling fresh potatoes and forest mushrooms in the late summer. The quiet atmosphere and the wide horizons make the Vysočina region the perfect place for a slow and steady journey.
Vysočina (region) highlights
- Zelená Hora Church: This star shaped pilgrimage church is a site and a masterpiece of light and geometric design. It sits on a green hill and is the architectural heart of the Vysočina plateau road trip route.
- Telč Square: The colorful renaissance houses with their ornate gables look like a painted stage set around a large square. The town is surrounded by fish ponds and offers a very peaceful and historic atmosphere for a stop.
- Pernštejn Castle: Known as the marble castle, this massive fortress sits on a rocky spur and has never been conquered. The road winding up the valley offers glimpses of the tall stone towers through the trees.
- Třebíč Jewish Quarter: One of the best preserved Jewish districts in Europe with narrow streets and two historic synagogues. It is a site that sits right next to a massive Romanesque basilica on a quiet hillside.
- Žďárské Hills: These rolling highlands are covered in deep spruce forests and feature massive granite rock formations hidden in the woods. This Czech Highlands scenic drive offers fresh air and wide open green horizons.
- Dalešice Brewery: Famous from a popular Czech movie, this historic brewery still produces traditional beer in a beautiful stone courtyard. The nearby reservoir offers boat trips and high cliffs overlooking the deep blue water.
- Pelhřimov Square: Known as the city of records and curiosities, this town has a charming square and a museum dedicated to unusual feats. It is a fun and lighthearted stop located in the gentle rolling hills of the west.
- Lipnice nad Sázavou: This massive castle ruin overlooks the town where the author of the Good Soldier Švejk lived and wrote. The nearby quarries feature giant stone carvings of ears and eyes directly in the living rock.
- Jihlava Catacombs: Explore the second largest system of underground tunnels in the country which features a mysterious glowing corridor. The city above has a long mining history and a beautiful main square with a fountain.
- Orlík Castle Ruins: Not to be confused with the chateau on the Vltava, this ruin sits deep in the Vysočina woods and offers great views. It is a quiet hidden gem perfect for those looking to stretch their legs on a long drive.
The local Four
History of Vysočina (region)
The Vysočina region sits on the high plateau between Bohemia and Moravia a land of windy heights and deep forests that was once a difficult frontier to cross. For centuries this was a territory of silver miners and glassmakers who braved the harsh winters of the highlands to extract the treasures hidden in the rocky soil. The landscape is filled with quiet towns and massive stone churches that were built to withstand the elements and the passage of time.
In the heart of these hills the architect Santini created his most mysterious masterpieces using light and geometry to build star shaped churches that look like nothing else on earth. These spiritual monuments are surrounded by a landscape of thousands of small ponds and rolling green hills that have inspired generations of Czech artists and composers. Driving through the highlands provides a sense of peace and isolation that is hard to find in the busier parts of the country.
The history of the Vysočina region is a story of quiet strength and the enduring power of faith and craftsmanship in a rugged environment. You can explore the underground labyrinths of medieval mining towns or walk through the perfectly preserved renaissance squares of towns like Telč. A road trip through the highlands is a journey to the very center of the Czech lands where the air is fresh and the history is written in stone and star.