When you plan a trip to the Czech Republic, you surely intend to visit its beautiful capital city. It is true that with all of its tiny streets, historical sites, architectural gems and cosy cafes, Prague is surely a must-see city. However, the Czech Republic offers many other interesting places and it would be a pity to reduce your trip only to one of them. So, if you want to experience a bit more and to try something new and a bit unusual, you should definitely visit a small city in southern Moravia that is called Boskovice. Despite its tiny size, Boskovice hides a large scale of attractions: there is an important historical centre, great cafes as well as great summer festival. So, let’s talk about Boskovice and its region in more detail!
The Moravia Region and its history
Actually, the Moravia Region, where Boskovice is situated, is one of the three main historical parts of the Czech Republic. Along with Moravia there is Bohemia, where Prague is situated, and Silesia, which situated in the northeast. Moravia has a great and important history - in the 9th century there was an important principality of Slavic tribes called “Velka Morava” (“Moravia Magna”). Moravia Magna was the first stable principality of Western Slavic tribes. It was ruled by the powerful Dukes Mojmir and Svatopluk, thanks to whom Christianity came to the country. After Svatopluk’s death, Moravia Magna lost its power and the rule of the country passed to the dukes of Bohemia – that’s why Prague became the centre of the country. Next to its important history, Moravia is also famous for its wine production. As it is situated in the south there are very good conditions for growing the grapes.
Boskovice Winery
The wine from Moravia is becoming more and more popular and everywhere you go, you’ll meet some tiny family winery. There is one very good family winery in Boskovice called “Vinoteka Boskovice” and it is situated in Plackova Street 15, just at the beginning of the most important historical part of the town - the old Jewish Ghetto. The best way how to get there is to pass through the Boskovice’s main square called Masarykovo Namesti and then take Hradni Street; it will lead you directly to the winery. Before entering, look up at the stone gate that frames the beginning of the street. This gate was built in the 18th century as a symbol of the Jewish people and it served as a demarcation of the Ghetto. Afterwards, you can enter the winery and get some good wine. The sellers are very nice and if you have doubts and you can’t choose, they’ll let you taste all varieties that you want. The choice can be very difficult, as every wine is delicious! It doesn’t matter if you’ll try the sweet white Pinot Gris, the dry one called Veltlinske Zelene or the red delicacy called Modry Portugal. In fact, the best thing to do would be to come there more than once and try at least two different wines. That’s actually what the local people do. In addition, the winery taps the wine to go in a bottle for a very low price - around 2 USD for 1 litre (50 CZK). It’s a really good deal, isn’t it?
The sloping square and the Synagogue
With a bottle of wine in your hand, continue down Plackova Street to discover the beauties of the former Jewish Ghetto – it is full of tiny historical houses from the 18th century. There you can find simple residential houses as well as cosy cafes and stores with handmade products. There you can buy a nice hand-painted cup for your morning coffee as a souvenir! Then, the street will lead you to a small square called U Vazne Studny. This place is interesting mainly for its sloping terrain that splits it into two different levels, connected by old stone stairs. There turn to the right and enter U Templu Street, which will lead you around the old Jewish Spa to the most important building of the Ghetto – the old Jewish Synagogue. The Synagogue was built in the neo-gothic style in 1639. During the 2nd World War it was closed and during the communist period it was left in desolation. After the Velvet Revolution, in 1989, the city gained the possibility to restore and to reopen it. Nowadays, it holds nice concerts of Jewish music that are really worth seeing.
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Cafe Dogvill
You can end your tour around the Ghetto in the best café in the city – Kafirna Dogvill. It is located on Zborovska 9 and it offers an enormous variety of coffees, made with beans from Colombia, Brazil, Ethiopia and Nicaragua. “Civet coffee” is their most special variety, which is made from Civet excrement (a small animal living in Africa that eats coffee beans). It is said that Civet coffee is the best coffee ever, thanks to its smooth and delicious mix of tastes. Grab a place on the Dogvill terrace and order a cup of one of these wonderful coffees. The beans are milled there just before the preparation, so you can be sure that you’ll get the freshest drink ever. If you accompany your cup with some great homemade cake, the moment can’t be better!
Multicultural summer festival
There is another great reason to visit Boskovice – during the second week of July there is a multicultural festival that is organised by the Unijazz Cultural Association and its aim is to help in the restoration of the Jewish Quartier. Usually, the festival starts on Thursday with a festive opening in the City Palace Greenhouse. Its programme offers a large selection of music from many genres. For example, at the Greenhouse, you can listen to classical jazz from all over the world and at the stage behind the Museum of Boskovicko there are good rock bands. During the evening, the most important bands are playing at the stage of Boskovice’s Summer Cinema. I ensure you that there isn’t anything better than sitting with your friends underneath a starry sky, drinking good Moravian wine and listening to some great and original music. As the organizers pay attention both to the quality and originality of the bands, so you won’t be disappointed. In addition to the music, there is also rich film programme and a large number of theatre stages – the theatre placed inside the Boskovice Castle Ruin is really worth seeing. Altogether with the calm and friendly atmosphere of the city, the Boskovice Festival will relax you. You will never want to leave!!
Best things to do in Boskovice
The Czech Republic hides many interesting places to visit. This article will present you with a very nice and quiet city called Boskovice. It is situated in the Moravia Region, which is well-known for its delicious wine. So, have some wine and discover the city!
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