Regions

Vysocina Region

 

Uniqueness of the region: The Vysocina Region is geographically compact territory with well-preserved living environment. Vysočina is one of the least environmentally burdened regions - it has advantageous location far from the biggest pollution sources. There is none giant industrial enterprise and the network of smaller enterprises has only little local influence on the air quality. And thanks to the favourable wind flow, the Region is not endangered by the long-distance pollutant transfer, either.

Significant historical event: In July 1436, the Hussite wars were brought to the end in Jihlava, in attendance of the Basel Council legates and the Ruler, by the signature of so-called Basel Compact.

Outstanding historical personality: During his life, Gustav Mahler was honoured primarily as a conductor who brought many novelties to this artistic activity. It is only nowadays that Mahler is regarded as genial artist. His symphonies are on the repertoire of great orchestras and famous conductors on all stages of the World. As the popularity of his music grows, so do the numbers of his admirers and connoisseurs. They are coming from all over the World to learn the environment that was the source for his music, to get to know Vysočina, the peaceful and harmonic beauty of which gave simple and pure grandeur to his compositions. The Mahler's musical tradition is alive and developing here. The Mahler Jihlava festival, which also includes interpretation courses, takes place here every June in attendance of top orchestras.

The Mahler's natal home in Kaliště comprises a music auditorium. The topical exposition in the Town Museum in Humpolec documents the Mahler's descent, studies, family life, conductor and composer activities. In the house where the author lived in Jihlava, a themed cafe, Café Mahler, is located. The museum exposition conveys the influence of the local environment on Mahler's musical maturing. It contains exhibits of the biographical works published, sets of poster and documents illustrating the memorial concerts and also the position of Mahler's music in the present World.

Also the sculptors Jan Štursa and Vincenc Makovský, the writers J. V. Pleva or brothers Mrštíkové paid tribute to the native Vysočina in their Works. The poet Otokar Březina passed all his life in Vysočina. The painters Antonín Chitussi, Antonín Slavíček, Rudolf Kremlička, František Kaván, Oldřich Blažíček, Jaroslav Panuška and many other painted here. The music composer Bohuslav Martinů lived and composed in a secluded house by Želiv for many years. Also Václav Stamic and Vítězslav Novák found inspiration for their music in the countryside here.

Significant cultural monument: Three monuments are listed in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Register

The typical feature of the town Telč, rightly regarded as one of the most beautiful towns in the Czech Republic, is its triangular plaza hemmed by burgher houses with Renaissance gables and arcade archways. The plaza together with the palace form an architectonic whole of extraordinary value. In the palace halls with well-preserved wooden panelled ceilings, the visitors can see valuable movables and rich collections.

The Pilgrimage Church of St. John of Nepomuk at Zelená Hora in Žďár nad Sázavou is a masterly composition with the symbolism of St. John's pentacle. It is a unique Work of the Czech architect J. B. Santini in Baroque-Gothic style from the beginning of the 18th century.

The town Třebíč originated in the Middle Ages around the Benedictine monastery, which was rebuild to a Renaissance palace. The Romanesque-Gothic Basilica of St. Prokopus, which is - with its monumental gateway and spacious three-aisled undercroft - one of the most precious buildings of its type in the Middle Europe, have outlived from the original monastery. The activity of the strong Jewish community in Třebíč is commemorated by the uniquely preserved buildings of the Jewish Ghetto with two synagogues and vast Jewish Cemetery.

Significant natural locality: The Vysočina Region is located in the central part of the Czech Republic. The whole territory is filled with Českomoravská vrchovina (the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands), the vastest mountain range in the Czech Republic. The altitude ranges between 400 - 800 m with the highest peaks exceeding the upper limit by about 40 m (Javořice 837 m above sea level, Devět skal 836 m above sea level). Moderately undulating landscape, intensely wooded, with deep valleys, which were formed by many years of river influence, is typical of Vysočina. Ponds, the oldest of which were founded as soon as in the 13th century, befit into landscape from time immemorial. A number of dam lakes have been constructed, some of which serve as reservoirs of drinking water; others are much-frequented recreation areas. The river system is dense and abundantly branched and many rivers rise here. Bogs, which are mostly protected as nature preserves, are typical of the headwater area; the peat layer is over 8 meters thick. There are several tens of conservation areas, which is indicative of the exceptional intactness of the territory. Besides bogs, the remains of the original fir and beech forests, rare plants, as well as geologic formations are protected. Mohelensko serpentine steppe, with dwarf-trees and plants bound to the geological base - serpentine, is a Central European botanical rarity. The nature preserve Stvořidla in the valley of the Sázava river, where the water hurtle in rapids over huge granite boulders, is the tourist and in particular the water sportsmen paradise. Over the Doubrava river, the steep slopes of the deep valley rise to up to 60 m of height. By contrast, thermophilic plants grow in the canyon-like valleys of the Oslava river. A significant feature of the landscape are the forests (they cover 30% of the territory; originally they were fir and beech, today they are mostly pine) with profusion of game.

Significant investment project: FUTABA (Japan, component parts for car industry, Industrial Zone in Havlíčkův Brod), investment amount CZK 1.5 milliard; currently the object is being built, the commencement of operation is planned from 2005).

Typical product: In Vysočina, there is glass preparation tradition of many years - it dates back to the 16th century. Many products from the glassworker production in the past centuries have been preserved in the museums and the then-famous glassworks have found their follow-up in the present productions.

Also the two hundred year old tradition of the Nativity Scene making is worth mentioning. While paper Nativity Scenes are typical of one area (with figurines on skewer stuck into moss), elsewhere the figurines are carved from wood. The folklore Nativity Scenes can be seen in museums; they are built especially in churches during the Christmas season. In one town (Třešť), there are 25 of them open to the public directly in households. The woodcarvers keep carving them here up to the present.

Typical food: The most typical meal are the sweet "mrkvance", which are baked in various modifications in the whole Region. In the town Polná, they are baked particularly for the traditional so-called "Mrkvance Fair".

Folklore: The territory is situated on the border between the historic countries, Bohemia and Moravia. The inhabitants from both countries used to come here during the Middle Ages and their dialects and customs mixed. That is why we have neither typical Regional meal, nor typical Regional music. However, the Region is very rich as for dancing. There is a number of folklore assemblies and their festivals and parades are held.

Tourist destination:
The Vysočina territory is suitable in particular for quiet family vacation stay. The vast dense forests entice to walks, as well as to mushrooming. Lovely recesses of nature offer excellent conditions for active recreation and many sports. The landscape is interwoven by dense 2700 km network of marked pedestrian tourist routes, which provide unrepeatable experience to the lover of silent nature. Also the 800 km marked cycling tourist routes enables discovering the most valuable sceneries of nature. The more able-bodied can choose from the more exacting terrains. Families with children will enjoy more moderate slopes with far views. The scenery of the nature can, however, also be admired from a horseback or from the board of a scenic aeroplane. The mountaineering fans have at their disposal the selected sections of the highest peaks. The biggest ponds constitute the paradise for surfer and yachtsmen. The dam lakes are perfect for performance of water sports and fishing. In the towns, there are sports grounds, tennis-courts, squash halls, indoor pools, as well as modern swimming pool at your disposal.

Also the art and history fans will find, what they are looking for. The passed centuries left over many castles, palaces, monasteries, as well as folklore architecture monuments in the Region. A journey to Vysočina is, however, not only the journey to the past. Modern galleries await the art lovers; many interesting performances of swordsmen and actors takes place in the secular walls of historic objects each year. The folklore tradition forms the basis of many folklore festivities. Music festivals of various genres gained its fixed place in the cultural calendar.

The Western Town, which seems as if it came directly from the films on the Wild West, is a temptation for the children. During the summer months, you can meet bisons, Indians or trappers there, see demonstrations of gold panning, as well as brave stunt numbers of horse rider. Almost in the centre of Jihlava, there is a zoological garden, where children can use untraditionally designed children's corner with contact ZOO and twelve-meter toboggan. The South American Pavilion is complemented by tropical rain and jungle noises. Original aboriginal huts have been built in the African village Matongo. In Pelhřimov, the International Festival of Records and Curiosities, during which record seekers from all corners of the World endeavour to achieve the entry in the Guinness Book of World Records by their extraordinary deeds, is held every year. There is more than one hundred exhibits resulting from this festival in the local museum.

There are about 550 accommodation facilities for the tourists, with the total number of beds amounting to 21.5 thousand. 362 thousand guests come to the Region every year, of which about 62 thousand is from abroad (17% of the total number, mostly from Germany, Poland, Holland and Slovakia). In the average, they stay for 4-5 days and almost 70% of them comes in the summer months.

Žďársko

• the centre of winter tourism; the Zlatá lyže (Golden Ski) race, which is regularly included in the World Cup races in racing disciplines, is held every year;
• developed infrastructure for summer recreation stays;
• the area is filled by the protected landscape area Žďárské vrchy (Žďár Hills);
• architectural monuments of the Baroque architect Jan Blažej Santini (He took part in the renovations of many church buildings. He came to Žďársko because of his friendship with the abbot of the local monastery. Santini impressed his original style of Baroque Gothic to all buildings. The unique building of the Pilgrimage Church of St. John of Nepomuk at Zelená Hora in Žďár nad Sázavou doubtless belongs to the climaxes of his Work. The exposition on the premises of the Ždár palace is devoted to Santini's Works. The places with his buildings are linked by a topical Santini Cycling Route).

Telčsko

• the historic centre of Telč with the palace is listed in the UNESCO Register;
• conservation areas of Jihlava Hills, the highest peak of the Region (Javořice, 837 m);
• infrastructure especially for summer recreation stays.

Posázaví

• traditional destination of summer recreation stays;
• infrastructure for summer tourism;
• architectural and cultural monuments.

Cooperation with Japan: FUTABA - a Japanese Company manufacturing component parts for car industry in the Havlíčkův Brod Industrial Zone.

Contact:
Radka Burketová, Press Agent
Krajský úřad kraje Vysočina
Žižkova 57
587 33 Jihlava
Phone: +420 564 602 142, +420 564 602 100
GSM: +420 777 750 123
e-mail: burketova.r@kr-vysocina.cz, epodatelna@kr-vysocina.cz
www: www.kr-vysocina.cz