Once known for its fashion industry, Prostějov is a historic city in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic. It was first mentioned in 1141 and by the late 19th century, it was producing around one-third of Austria-Hungary’s textiles. Modern-day Prostějov centres around a well-preserved historic core with a Renaissance-style castle.
Things to do in Prostějov
One of the city’s most impressive buildings is Prostějov Castle, which was originally established in the 16th century and reconstructed in 1893. It features a central courtyard where concerts occasionally take place and is decorated with modern sgraffito by Jan Kohler. Adjacent to the castle is Prostějov’s oldest park, Smetanovy Sady, which features leafy trails and a monument dedicated to its founder.
Occupying a Renaissance-style town hall is the Museum and Gallery in Prostějov, which houses exhibitions dedicated to ethnography, natural history and archaeology. Learn about serfdom life in Prostějovsk from the 14th to 19th centuries and get up close to rocks and minerals discovered in the surrounding area. Also on display is a recreated Haná dwelling and furnishings from the Olomouc History Museum. Changing art exhibitions take place at Gallery Špalíček.
Also of note is the National House, an Art Nouveau-style building designed by the renowned Czech architect Jan Kotěra. It was originally conceived with a theatre, a concert hall and a restaurant, as well as lecture halls and clubhouses. Today, the building is protected as a Cultural Monument and showcases works by prominent Czech artists.
Getting around Prostějov
Prostějov is around a one-hour drive from Brno and 40 minutes from Brno–Tuřany Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe. Inter-city trains connect to the Prostějov railway station and buses travel through the city. The centre of Prostějov is compact enough to explore on foot.