One of the main landmarks of Brno, with its famous dungeon and summer amphitheatre, and a great place for a stroll overlooking the city. Welcome to Špilberk, or Špilas as the locals call it.
Špilberk Castle was strategically built on a promontory in the 13th century to have a perfect overview of the surrounding area. This hill overgrown with greenery and with a massive fortress at its peak greets you from afar still today.
Originally, it was an aristocratic residence, but the role of Špilberk has changed greatly over time. However, the site was always important; never did it play merely a supporting role! Thanks to the south-western bastion, Brno once resisted the Swedish invasions before Napoleon blew it up many years later. The fortress, where the Moravian margraves first lived, became the toughest prison of the Austrian monarchy. And for the last 40 years, Špilberk has been home to the Brno City Museum.
It lovingly cares for precious historical finds and artworks, and it displays these in exhibitions dedicated to the history of Špilberk and Brno as well as to local fine art. You might enjoy for example a historical exhibition of guild relics. You will find genuine exhibits of masters of all possible guilds, such as gingerbread moulds or the tools of comb makers…
Come and get a view of the whole city from the lookout tower or, on the contrary, enter the casemates with dark dungeons, a torture chamber and a rack. The local cells “hosted” the worst and most dangerous criminals, as well as many well-known characters such as the Italian patriot and poet Silvio Pellico, Baron Trenck and the robber Babinský.
Today, the castle is no longer a place of torture, it is a venue for cultural events: theatre festivals, the Summer Shakespeare Festival, the culinary Špilberk Food Festival, the Summer Cinema, classical music concerts and so on.
For children, even a mere visit to the casemates is an experience. Those who have a sweet tooth will be delighted by several buildings in the area, ranging from a bistro and a café to a restaurant and a wine bar.
To visit Špilberk Castle, you can use the BrnoPas, which brings you tips for interesting places, discounts on admission and many other benefits, including transport around Brno free of charge.
We have found other places you might like. Have a look at them.
found 12 places
This water park with several swimming pools, a water slide and a fitness room offers perfect facilities for quiet relaxation, such as regeneration treatments and a sunbathing terrace.
The most famous karst area in the Czech Republic. Places full of magic and bats. An underground river and the most photogenic abyss in the Czech Republic.
Formerly a Gothic castle and a Renaissance chateau today, this dominant feature of the town of Rosice rises atop a hill. It is home to a toy museum and an anti-nuclear shelter
A large reservoir and a huge castle. Explore one of the largest Moravian castle areas within sight of Brno.
There are chateaux where you might be offered a knightly duel, but at the chateau in Valtice you will be poured wine instead.
This voluptuous beauty made of burnt clay brought world-class commotion to a small South Moravian village. What is it that makes her so fascinating?
Do you find events of long ago boring? A visit to Pavlov will turn you into a real fan of prehistory! Your kids will remember this spectacular exhibition for a long time to come.
The Milotice Chateau is known as the pearl of Southeast Moravia. This complex of Baroque buildings and garden architecture, preserved to a unique extent, will soothe your soul.
Genuine Italian refinement. The noble arches of the arcade courtyard trill like notes in an operetta, the fountain sings a romantic aria. Bella, bella!
The pearl of South Moravia, one of the most visited places in the country, a UNESCO gem. And with a bunch of other tourist attractions around it.
The only system of caves in the Czech Republic where you can admire nature’s own sculptures both while you walk and while you take a cruise on an underground river.
