Czechs Most Underrated Town

Day 95

From the truck stop in Lodz we made an early start driving south down to the Czech Republic to a town called Olomouc.

I think the tow truck driver underestimated the weight of this car!

Maxi getting its first wash since leaving the UK.

Again we had been to the Czech Republic before in 2005, but only visited the capital of Prague for 5 days and Kutna Hora. This time we entered from the northeastern point of Poland and again were amazed at just how beautiful the local countryside and farmland was. Although we came in from Germany in 2005, our memories of Czech were of a fairly run-down and poor country trying to find its feet. 

In the 7 years that had passed, you could really see how things had developed with some great roads and a sense of pride in each town.

Roaming the very quiet streets of Olomouc.

One of Olomouc's Town Squares.
The finished one.

Olomouc Town Hall and the Holy Trinity Column.

 

Olomouc had been recommended in our guide as one of the most underrated towns in the Czech Republic, and was probably not on tourists travel lists as it was so far west of the capital and a lot of other ‘more touristy’ towns of the Czech Republic. 

We made our way around the outer edge of the city, stopping at a tyre repair shop to get a quote on our recently exploded tire and then gradually made our way closer to the old town, finally stopping at a paid parking lot within walking distance of Olomouc’s two town squares.

With it being a beautiful sunny day and only about 3pm we took a stroll into town to see the sights and were instantly amazed. Although one of the town squares looked like an archeological dig, you could tell from the surrounding buildings that this place was special. 

Dodging the rubble and holes left in town square number one, we made our way over to town square number two to see the town hall and surrounding buildings. What we got was a hidden gem, with very little tourists and some amazing architecture.

The other Olomouc town square
undergoing some reconstruction.

Just outside the reconstruction zone.

Wandering the town square and little cobbled streets we could not believe we had never heard about this town and the fact that it still hadn’t quite taken off. I guess the fact that it hadn’t taken off was great for us as looking at the prices of food and drinking sent a shiver down ones spine. You could literally have a three-course meal for under £5 and the price of a pint of beer at 70 pence was laughable.

With such low prices we stopped in at a pub and enjoyed three beers in the sun. It’s quite a strange feeling when the bill comes out for three beers and it only amounts to £2.70!

After dinner we made our way back into the town to take some photos of the square at nighttime. We stopped into a café/bar just outside the town hall for an Irish coffee and then through chance were entertained with a 15 minute long light and music show, as the town hall was illuminated with different coloured lights and to different classical music – you can have your Astronomical Clock Prague!

Olomouc Town Hall Light and Sound Show!

Olomouc Town Hall Light and Sound Show
(see link to video above).

The Holy Trinity Column at night.

 

Olomouc Fountain and Holy Trinity Column in the background.