Třebíč

Třebíč, a town of 35,000 in the Vysočina region of Czechia, has earned UNESCO recognition for two sites: its Jewish Quarter and St. Procopius Basilica. As you walk through the Quarter's narrow streets, you'll pass the Front Synagogue with its baroque interior and see medieval houses with workshops on their ground floors. The town center includes the Renaissance-era Painted House, decorated with detailed sgraffito patterns, while the Jihlava River winds through the historic streets below the basilica's distinctive rose window.

The Jewish Quarter

The Jewish Quarter runs along the Jihlava River, with 123 houses built close together in a compact arrangement. Two synagogues remain: the Front Synagogue (mid-17th century) and the Rear Synagogue (late 17th century). After extensive work in the 1990s and 2000s, you'll see the Quarter much as it looked in medieval times. Walking through the streets, you'll notice how each house typically had a shop or workshop on the ground floor with living spaces above.

St. Procopius Basilica

Built in the early 13th century, this Romanesque basilica stands on a hill overlooking the Jewish Quarter. Its most striking element is a rare ten-part rose window, known as the 'botanical' window. The building began as part of a Benedictine monastery before connecting to a 16th-century palace. When you visit, look for the original stone masonry and Gothic vault patterns in the crypt.

Jewish Cemetery

Behind a hill outside the Jewish Quarter lies a cemetery with around 4,000 tombstones dating from the 15th century onward. The cemetery has two distinct sections: the older area (15th century) and a newer section (19th century). As you walk among the stones, you'll see intricate carvings that show how Jewish funeral art evolved over the centuries.

Karlovo Square and Town Center

Karlovo náměstí, the main square since the 14th century, contains buildings from several architectural periods. In the square's southwestern corner, the Painted House displays Renaissance sgraffito facades and now functions as an art gallery and tourist information center. The surrounding medieval street layout remains intact, with narrow lanes leading off in all directions.

Viewpoints Around Třebíč

You can climb the Town Tower at St. Martin's Church for a view over the medieval center. The Masaryk Lookout, named after Czechoslovakia's first president, lets you see the town from a different angle. For another perspective, visit the Kostelíček Water Tower's observation platform.

Getting There and Around

Třebíč sits 65 kilometers west of Brno, with regular train connections throughout the day. The train station sits on a hill above town. From Prague, expect a 3-4 hour journey with at least one transfer. You can walk to most sites in the Jewish Quarter and town center, though reaching the Jewish Cemetery requires an uphill walk.

Cultural Events

The town comes alive during several annual festivals: Šamajim celebrates Jewish culture, Theatre Třebíč showcases amateur performances, and Concentus Moraviae brings classical music concerts. During the Potato Festival (Bramborobraní), you can watch folk music and dance performances.