Secrets of the Moravian Karst – a six-hour tailor-made tour

In the pilgrimage site of Vranov u Brna, visitors will discover one of the most important Marian churches in Moravia — the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary.
Inside, they can admire the splendid Baroque interior with its ornate decorations, sculptures, and frescoes created by leading 18th-century artists. The church is also home to the unique Vranov Crib — a limewood nativity scene with a mechanical drive and musical automaton. Beneath the church lies the grand Liechtenstein family tomb, later remodeled in the 19th century.

The entire place radiates a quiet, spiritual, and deeply authentic atmosphere.

The Church of St. Barbara, a neo-Gothic monument dedicated to the patron saint of miners and metallurgists, is one of the dominant landmarks of Adamov. Built between 1855 and 1857 on the orders of Prince Alois II of Liechtenstein. A rectory, school building, and cemetery were constructed alongside the church.

Inside, the church houses a wooden Gothic altar, a national cultural monument over 7 meters high with 59 wooden figures. This late Gothic masterpiece (1516–1525) originates from the Cistercian monastery in Zwettl and was brought to Adamov by Prince Alois II in 1857.

The church is only open during Mass and special occasions, so during our visit we will only view the exterior. Nevertheless, it provides a clear example of the distinctive architecture of a Catholic church and remains an important historical building in the city.

The atmosphere is historical, spiritual, and architecturally striking, ideal for a short stop and photography.

At the old ironworks near Adamov, known as Františka’s Ironworks, visitors can explore the history of iron production in the heart of the Moravian Karst.
This 18th-century technical monument features a uniquely preserved blast furnace complex that operated until the mid-19th century. You can still see the remains of the original smelting furnaces, bellows, and water channels that once powered the works. Nestled in the picturesque Joseph Valley with the Křtinský Stream and surrounded by forests, the site offers a rare glimpse into early industrial craftsmanship. In summer, historical demonstrations bring the furnace back to life, showing how iron ore was once smelted using traditional methods.

The atmosphere combines industry, nature, and history — an authentic touch of the past.

Balcarka Cave is one of the most picturesque karst caves in the Moravian Karst.
It is famous for its rich stalactite decorations, including stalactites, stalagmites, and colorful cascades in a variety of shapes. Visitors follow a safely maintained path through narrow corridors and spacious domes, offering the chance to admire the cave’s fascinating geological formations. The site is also paleontologically significant, with bones of Quaternary mammals discovered here.
In the operations building you will find refreshments, a souvenir shop and toilets.

The cave’s mysterious and enchanting atmosphere draws visitors into an underground world full of history and natural beauty.

The Macocha Abyss offers visitors one of the most dramatic natural sights in the Moravian Karst. The abyss is 138 meters deep and up to 174 meters wide, making it the deepest of its kind in Central Europe. Visitors can admire its sheer vertical walls, underground chasms, and caves, all connected to the Punkva Caves. Viewing platforms provide panoramic vistas of the deep Punkva Gorge and the surrounding forested landscape.

The legend of the human tragedy that gave Macocha its name still resonates today, as the abyss occasionally draws those who have lost hope.

Its atmosphere is both awe-inspiring and mysterious, immersing visitors in a world of dramatic karst formations and underground secrets.

The windmill in the village of Rudice stands on an elevated site on the edge of the Moravian Karst. The mill dates back to the 19th century and is one of the few preserved windmills in this area. Today, it is a listed building owned by the municipality of Rudice. In 1996, it received a new shingle roof, and between 2011 and 2012, it underwent extensive reconstruction, including the modernization of its interiors.

The atmosphere of the place is peaceful and picturesque, ideal for photography and a short stop during your trip.

The Rudice Sinkhole, connected to Býčí skála (Bull Rock) in the Moravian Karst, is the second longest cave system in the Czech Republic, stretching over 12 km. The massive Devonian limestone cliffs gave rise to the Rudice Abyss, which, at 153 meters deep, is the deepest underground abyss in the country. The underground flow of the Jedovnice Stream, dropping 86 meters through a system of waterfalls (the highest in the Czech Republic at 35 meters), has carved high underground canyons, massive domes, and hard-to-reach passages.

During our visit, we will stop at the cave entrance, above the underground stream, at a height of over 100 meters. Below us lies a labyrinth of chimneys and horizontal passages, adorned with rich stalactite formations, showcasing the ongoing process of karstification.

The atmosphere here is wild, dramatic, and adventurous, giving visitors a glimpse into a fascinating underground world full of secrets and natural wonders.

In the former kaolin mine in Rudice (also known as the Seč quarry), visitors can explore a unique geological profile of sediments from the Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous periods, known as the Rudice layers. Mining took place from the mid-20th century until 1993.

Today, the quarry offers a picturesque and photogenic landscape: colorful kaolin sands, alternating clays and rusty sandstones, complemented by fossils, quartz geodes, young green trees and a shallow lake at the bottom, creating dramatic and romantic scenery.

The quarry attracts tourists, photographers, and filmmakers with its captivating atmosphere, and access is allowed after following safety instructions.

Býčí skála (Bull Rock) is a cave located in the central part of the Moravian Karst Protected Landscape Area, in the Křtiny Valley between Adamov and the village of Křtiny. Together with Barová (Sobolová) Cave and Rudické propadání, it forms the second longest cave system in the Czech Republic after Amatérská Cave, stretching over 18 kilometers.

Visitors will see the entrance to one of the most famous karst cave systems in the Moravian Karst, renowned for its mysterious archaeological finds from the Hallstatt period. Among the most significant discoveries is a bronze bull statue, after which the cave is named. The cave is closed most of the year and tours are only available by appointment, so during our short stop (about 10 minutes) we will only view the entrance and the massive iron gate, peering inside through a narrow opening with the help of a flashlight.

The atmosphere is mystical and captivating, drawing visitors into a world of ancient history and underground secrets.

In Křtiny, visitors will discover the Baroque pilgrimage church of the Name of the Virgin Mary, one of the most significant works by architect Jan Blažej Santini-Aichel. The church, along with the adjacent Chapel of St. Anne and the former rectory, dominates the village and forms the heart of the historic pilgrimage site.

Křtiny is mainly known for its stone Gothic statue of the Madonna from 1340 and its long tradition of Marian pilgrimages. The Baroque church is considered Santini's "Pearl of Moravia." Its interior features elegant Baroque decorations and a symmetrical layout on a Greek cross floor plan.

Beneath the church lies a large ossuary containing the remains of medieval inhabitants of Křtiny and several skulls decorated with mysterious ornaments.

The atmosphere is calm, spiritual, and historically captivating, ideal for quiet contemplation.

The Hády Quarry, perched on the northern edge of Brno, is a striking natural landmark – a hill 424 meters (1,391 ft) above sea level, partly bordering the Moravian Karst Protected Landscape Area. Once an active limestone quarry, its terraces now provide breathtaking panoramic views of Brno and the surrounding countryside.

One of the quarry’s most fascinating spots is the rose quartz section, where the rare stone was mined in the past. Today, small lakes formed by a natural spring glisten at the bottom, and the area is home to a variety of plants and wildlife, creating a picturesque, almost magical setting.

The Hády Quarry is perfect for a short stop, unforgettable photos, and enjoying the dramatic beauty of the Moravian landscape – a hidden gem for nature lovers and photographers alike.