Capuchin Crypt and Church

The church is situated on the Capuchin Square near the Cabbage Market. Its front is decorated with the Baroque sculptures by Jan Adam Nessman from 1765.

Next to the church stands the Capuchin Monastery, but the most interesting attraction is the Capuchin crypt which is located beneath the church. Due to the good geological structure of the soil and a system of air-holes, it was possible to mummify the corpses which have been preserved in the underground of the church to the present-day. Along with the members of the Capuchin Order, the builders Ondřej and Jan Křtitel Ern and Baron Franz von der Trenck (a commander of the Pandur and Špilberk prisoner) are buried there.

Visitors can attend a permanent exhibition which includes a tour of the Capuchin crypt with mummies.

Spilberk Castle

Another dominant feature of Brno is Spilberk Castle. It was established around the mid-13th century by the Czech king Ottokar II of Bohemia. After a fire in 1578, it was transformed into the Renaissance building by Antonín Paris. During the Thirty Years' War, the castle was turned into a Baroque fortress. In 1820, the fortress was converted into a prison, which was called the "dungeon of the nations" in the Austro-Hungarian Empire as it was the place of political persecution.

Today, the Spilberk castle houses the Brno City Museum. There are permanent exhibitions such as The Casemates (with a torture chamber and instruments of torture), Baroque Pharmacy and Lapidary. Another tourist attraction is a lookout tower and you can also visit the north and west wing of the castle.

Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul

The cathedral is situated on the natural rock formation called Petrov. It is the dominant feature of Brno and creates the city's typical silhouette. From the former Romanesque basilica, which was built as a part of the former Brno Castle in the 11th century, it was turned into a Gothic cathedral in the 14th century. Between 1738 and 1748 it was rebuilt in the Baroque style by Mořic Grimm. The interior of the building is splendidly equipped with the sculptures by Ondřej Schweigl. There is the largest preserved fragment of the city walls under the cathedral.

Admission to the cathedral is free.

Admission to the cathedral's tower and treasure house: 35 CZK (reduced admission fee for students, children and elderly people)

Opening hours: from Monday to Saturday: 11.00 - 18.00; Sunday 11.45 - 18.00

Admission to the crypt: 25 CZK (reduced admission fee for students, children and elderly people)

Opening hours: Saturday 11 - 18.00, Sunday 11.45 - 18.00

You have a great opportunity to taste Czech cuisine in Brno. A typical Czech dish is roast pork with dumplings and cabbage or fried cheese with potatoes or chips. There are lots of restaurants which offer food and drink for €6, even those situated in the Brno centre. At midday, the bulk of restaurants provide their customers with menus for more attractive prices.

To eat well you have to drink well. A traditional Brno beer brand is Starobrno; however restaurants also offer other brands such as Pilsner Urquell and Gambrinus. A pint of beer usually costs about €1, even in the city centre restaurants.

Another traditional Czech drink is Kofola, which tastes similar to Cola, but due to natural ingredients and liquorice it has an unmistakable and intriguing taste.

Aside from beer and kofola, Czechs also produce high-quality wines, sometimes called "blood of Moravia".

While visiting the city centre, take some time for a quick meal and browse along the pedestrian shopping zone, which unfolds between Námestí Svobody and the train station. Prices for goods are often cheaper here than in Prague, so you may find a better deal for the crystal vase or pair of earrings you were thinking of buying.

While it may lack Prague's energy, Brno still has plenty to offer at night. A strong range of cultural activities is on offer, with a local theatre and symphony providing world-class entertainment.

For the young at heart, the Boby disco (open daily 7pm-3am) at the Boby Hotel is the place to dance the night away. The music is endless, as is the line if you don't get there early enough. Admission is around 100Kc ($4.75/£2.40). Otherwise, be Czech and go to any number of local pubs, which are located on nearly every street corner. Start out at the Stopkova Pivnice just off the main square, and see where the night takes you. You'll go no more than 2 minutes in any direction before another pub tempts you.