A self-guided heritage trail, historic castle rooms and a preserved Renaissance synagogue give Holešov a distinct cultural character. At the same time, two cycling routes pass through the town in different ways or start there. When choosing where to stay, it is therefore worth considering whether you are visiting Holešov mainly for its architecture and exhibitions or want to set off on a bike ride from here.
Exploring Holešov on Foot
The town heritage trail is marked with a yellow-and-white square and can be followed independently without a guide. You can also follow it on an interactive town map. A red-marked hiking trail also passes through Holešov. The two markings indicate different routes: the square marks the heritage trail, while the red marking indicates the hiking trail. Check the current signs on site.
Church, Castle and Synagogue
The three-nave Baroque Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary stands on the site of a smaller Gothic church dating from around the 14th century. The present church building was completed in 1708. The approximate date refers to the Gothic predecessor; 1708 marks the completion of the present building.
A guided tour of Holešov Castle includes the Sala terrena, with its rich stucco decoration and frescoes, the Great Hall, the castle chapel and the Lord’s Room. Tour availability may vary seasonally. Other historic halls serve as the castle gallery and host exhibitions by well-known Czech and foreign artists; the exhibitions change. The castle tour therefore takes visitors through specific rooms, while the gallery presents exhibitions in historic halls.
The Šach Synagogue also brings together architectural history and exhibitions. It is a Renaissance building whose core has been preserved to this day. The exhibition “Jews and Moravia” is housed in the women’s gallery and the former Jewish school. It explores the history of Jews in Moravia from the earliest references through the Second World War; individual exhibition content may change. In Holešov, the Gothic predecessor of the Baroque church, the Renaissance architecture of the synagogue and the history of Jews in Moravia thus sit side by side.
Another cultural venue is Zeman’s Forge (Zemanova kovárna). Since mid-2012, it has housed the exhibition of the Small Blacksmith Museum. A guided tour includes the original workshop, the restored clock mechanism from the castle tower and a traditional room from the border region between Haná and Wallachia. Tour availability may vary.
Castle Park and Jewish Cemetery
The park’s distinctive water system, shaped like Neptune’s trident, forms its dominant focal point. The so-called Rose Garden contains a monument to the composer F. X. Richtr and an observatory. Visitor information from 2023 states that the castle garden is open free of charge 365 days a year. Check the current access conditions before your visit. The Jewish cemetery in Holešov is also freely accessible; check access conditions before you travel.
Cycling Routes with Different Starting Points
Cycling Route No. 5033, 55 kilometres long, starts in Kroměříž, passes through Hulín, Pravčice and Količín, and reaches Holešov at kilometre 18. It ends in Hustopeče nad Bečvou. Holešov is a stop along this route, not its starting point. By contrast, the 27-kilometre Route No. 5036 starts in Holešov. At Holajka, it branches off from Route No. 5033 and passes through Přílepy, Lukoveček, Fryšták, Lešná, Štípa, Hvozdná and Slušovice to Dešná, where it connects to long-distance cycling route No. 46.
Route No. 5036 runs entirely on paved paths, mostly on Class III roads, and is suitable for all types of bicycles. The two routes therefore differ both in length and in Holešov’s role: Route No. 5036 starts here, while the longer Route No. 5033 reaches the town along the way. Routes may change; check the current route before setting off.
Discover more destinations: Honětice, Zborovice, Chomýž, Bořenovice, Skaštice, Bezměrov, Lechotice, Břest.
For the broader travel overview: Kroměříž District.
