Mikulov

Situated southwest of the Pavlovské hills, a town grew below a former castle. The remains of the original fortifications can still be seen on the Canon Tower in Kozí hrádek. The castle was later rebuilt into a luxurious Baroque chateau, which, together with the Renaissance tower of the Church of St. Wenceslas and the Holy Hill with a chapel, creates the characteristic panorama of the town.

Thanks to the location and climate, wine growing and trade flourished here. Mikulov was famous with its religious tolerance, especially towards the protestants and the Jews. In the 17th – the 19th centuries Mikulov was the seat of the rabbinate. The large Jewish ghetto has been partially preserved, along with a synagogue and the Jewish cemetery. Among other sights are the Loretto church, rebuilt in the 19th century into a tomb of the Dietrichstein family.

Recently, Mikulov has become especially popular for its viticulture. A network of biking trails crisscrosses the area, and there are annual wine festivals every autumn.