Olomouc in Winter

We often receive enquiries asking if Olomouc is still 'worth visiting' in the winter. It seems to us that there are two types of town from a tourist's point of view; the ones you go to see something specific; a castle, a museum, the birthplace or grave of somebody famous; and if those things are closed during the winter there's no point going. Then there's the type of place you go to just for the pleasure of being there and taking part, as far as possible, in the rhythm of local life.

While there are plenty of specific historic attractions, Olomouc also falls well into the second category, and for those purposes winter is probably an even better time to visit than summer.

Because Olomouc is such a big university town (the Czech Republic's biggest by percentage of population) concerts and festivals and special events tend to take place during the academic year, not during the summer holidays.

Through the winter the Jazz club, U-Klub and 15 Minut student club have regular programs of live music, during the Christmas markets there are free concerts on the square every afternoon, and there are film festivals, music festivals and traditions like Mikuláš, New Year's Eve and Three Kings' Day that are celebrated everywhere across the country.

But even Olomouc's specific historic sights stay open year round. Many of them are large outdoor public sculptures and monuments; the UNESCO-listed Holy Trinity Column, the series of baroque fountains, the astronomical clock in the front of the town hall and the old city walls would all fall into this category.

The Archdiocese museum is another standout. Even for people who are sick to death of museums, this is one is worth the entry price just to see the interiors of the palaces, all of which started their lives as part of the Olomouc castle. And if you're not convinced they would be worth the 2 euro entry fee, the museum, along with the Modern Art Museum, is completely free every Wednesday and every Sunday. For everyone, not just students.

And then there are the churches. There are 12 or 15 churches in Olomouc's historic centre, but probably the main three or four will be enough for most visitors. St. Wenceslas' cathedral has the tallest spire in Moravia (second tallest in the country) and displays the skull of Saint Jan Sarkander in a glass case, St. Moritz has the largest pipe organ in Central Europe and the best tower to climb for a view over the city and St. Michael's conceals as spectacular a Baroque interior as you're likely to see anywhere.

There's also the regional cuisine to complement anybody's visit at all times of year. Olomouc 'stinky' cheese, traditional Haná meals from the Hanácká Hospoda, local beer from the St. Wenceslas or Moritz breweries, and the famous chocolate pie have all earned reputations that extend far beyond the boundaries of the city.

There are good places for skiing, snowboarding and skating within easy reach of Olomouc and an Ice Hockey game is a must for any winter visit to the Czech Republic. Hockey Club Mora Olomouc are usually towards the top of the first league in the national competition (finishing 3rd, 8th and 3rd the last three seasons); the stadium is three or four minutes from the hostel and tickets range from 40-80Kč (1.7-3.4 Euros).

We look forward to welcoming you soon, The Poets