A harmonious hilly region interspersed with countless streams and brooks, church towers and lookout points. This is Bystřicko. A region, which one of the most majestic medieval castles in the Czech Republic, Pernštejn Castle, keeps a watchful eye over, offering superb conditions for active relaxation in beautiful surroundings and which also boasts the EDEN designation, awarded only to European destinations of the highest quality.
Despite the fact that Bystřicko is a small region, you can visit many architectural gems here. One of the most romantic buildings is to be found in Vítochov. The Church of St. Michael here has been an unmistakable dominant feature of the surrounding area for many centuries already as well as the subject of interest of many painters and photographers. During your travels through the countryside, make sure not to miss the church in Zvole, the work of the genius architect Jan Blažej Santini-Aichel, the smallest tower of which is built in the shape of the Crown of St. Wenceslas.
Ladies, watch out for the Pernštejn mirror!
When you approach the village of Nedvědice, all of a sudden the monumental silhouette of Pernštejn Castle will appear before your very eyes. One of the most beautiful castles in Moravia dating back to the middle of the 13th century, the castle proudly towers above the deep Bystřice forests, strongly reminiscent of a fortress from the film Lord of the Rings. Just like all of the other Czech castles, here too you can meet the local ghost. This is the White Lady, who was cursed by a local monk for her wanton lifestyle. Since that time, she has wandered the corridors looking for the mirror, which she spent a lot of time in front of. The legend tells that any woman who looks into this mirror will lose their beauty in it.
Lots of trips, even more experiences
A little bit of activity after a history lesson? No problem in Bystřicko! You can set out for the Vír Reservoir with the third highest dam in the Czech Republic. Although Vír is only used as a drinking water reservoir, the forest path around it is a great place for hiking, cycling and in winter also cross-country skiing. Would you like to see Vír from a bird’s eye perspective? Then climb to the top of the Karasín lookout tower, from where a beautiful view will open out for you over the reservoir itself and also the tops of the Žďár Peaks. Make sure to also visit the largest city in the region, Bystřice nad Pernštejnem. You will find everything you need to spend an active day full of fun in the sports centre here, which offers a climbing wall, indoor swimming pool, tennis courts and outside swimming baths.
Where else to set out for?
Do UNESCO monuments attract you? Roughly 30 km from Bystřice nad Pernštejnem, you can visit the mystical Church of St. John of Nepomuk at Zelená hora. You can engage your fantasy here whilst discovering the unique symbolism of the number five, which pervades the whole of this magnificent work.