Destination guides > Europe > Czech Republic > Moravia > Olomouc
Olomouc
The historic capital of Moravia has the country's second-most important city in terms of historic architecture. The cathedrals, monuments, fountains and the impressive town hall, with its quirky Communist astronomical clock combine to form an unforgettable city centre. It's a youthful university city of 100,000 people with a rich cultural life and loads of cheap bars and cafés.
Practical information
Olomouc tourist information centre
Horni Namesti, Olomouc
Tel 585513385
Website www.olomouc-tourism.cz
Local transport
The centre of Olomouc is small enough to cover on foot, but the train and bus stations are a 10 minute tram ride to the east, with a 10 Kč ticket.
Coming & going
Olomouc is three hours by fast train from Prague's main station, and six hours from Krakow. Buses take a little over an hour from Brno.
The train and bus stations are about 1km east of the old town. Trams 4, 5, 6, and 7 run to Namesti Hrdinu in the centre.
Hostel accommodation
Hostel Olomouc
Katerinska 10, Olomouc
Tel (077) 44 15 111
Poets Corner Hostel
Sokolská Ul. 1, Olomouc 77200
Tram 4, 5, 6, 7
Tel (0777) 570730
Sightseeing, museums & tourist attractions
Archbishops' Palace
The seat of the Moravian Archbishops. Austro-Hungarian Emperor Franz Josef was crowned here in 1848.
Wurmova 9, Olomouc
Holy Trinity Column
The unique column was declared a national cultural monument and UNESCO-listed in 2001. It reaches 35m in height and dominates the western end of Olomouc's upper square.
Horní náměstí, Olomouc
Admission free
Premyslid Palace
National cultural monument and all that remains of Olomouc's 13th century castle. The adjacent St Wenceslas cathedral dates from 1131 and boasts the tallest spire in Moravia.
St Moritz Church
Home to the Engler pipe organ, the largest in central Europe, St Moritz cathedral hosts international music festivals and provides bird's eye views over Olomouc from its 54m tower.
ul. 8. května, Olomouc
Admission cathedral free
Town Hall & Astronomical Clock
Dating form 1378, the Olomouc town hall is the focus of the city centre. Redesigned by the Communist government in the 1950s, it's an important and fascinating reminder of the city's more recent history.
Horní náměstí, Olomouc
Admission clock free; tower 15 Kč
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