Třebíč

On the banks of the Jihlava River in the region of Western Moravia, one of the greenest areas in the Czech Republic, lies the picturesque town of Třebíč.

The town’s origins are linked to the construction of a Benedictine monastery in 1101 and traces of this thousand-year-old tradition can be seen in many corners. However, Třebíč is best known for its beautiful Jewish quarter, one of the best preserved in the world, which together with the old cemetery and the Basilica of St Procopius has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Jewish Quarter and Cemetery

The Jewish quarter in Třebíč is one of the largest in Europe that has been preserved to this day and represents an important historical testimony.

The ghetto developed from the 12th century and for hundreds of years the Jews of Třebíč lived on the left bank of the river, never coming into conflict with their Christian neighbours. It was only with the Second World War and the deportations that the peaceful everyday life of the Jewish quarter came to an end: all its inhabitants were exterminated.

Today, this neighbourhood of narrow streets contains 123 houses in different architectural styles that are still well preserved, two synagogues, a town hall, the rabbi’s house and the poorhouse, a school and a hospital. The cemetery lies to the north of the Jewish quarter and has over 4,000 graves.

Other attractions

The magnificent Basilica of St Procopius uniquely combines Gothic and Romanesque styles. Situated on a hill to the west of the Jewish quarter, the basilica is a testimony to the peaceful coexistence of Christians and Jews from the Middle Ages to the 20th century.

The heart of the city centre is Charles Square, where you can admire the sculptural group of St Cyril from 1885, the town hall dating back to 1227 and Jihlava Gate, also known as the Monastery Gate, as well as the beautiful facades of the buildings. However, the three fountains with statues of St Florian, St Sebastian and St Wenceslas have been removed; the statues that adorned the fountains are now located in different parts of the city.

The square is still a regular meeting place for the inhabitants of Třebíč and fairs, festivals, markets and other events are frequently organised here.

Nature and sport

Its location in one of the greenest, i.e. least polluted areas of the Czech Republic makes Třebíč an ideal destination for those seeking an active holiday surrounded by nature. There are numerous hiking and cycling trails in the area: there are no less than 524.5 km of marked walking trails, enough to keep you busy for weeks!

If you are not feeling particularly sporty but simply want to stretch your legs, you can take walks in the city parks and forests in the surrounding area.

For those who want to enjoy the natural beauty of the region without any fatigue, we recommend a river cruise.

How to get to Třebíč from Prague

There are no direct trains from Prague to Třebíč and the journey takes more than four hours, with at least one change. Faster is the bus, departing from Prague’s Florenc station. By car calculate about two hours.