Traveller's diary: Luhačovice is a spa promised also for tourism

There is no doubt that Luhačovice is the largest Moravian spa. But it is not only the spa treatment that makes this charming town interesting, because Luhačovice also offers great facilities for tourists and travelers. That's why it belongs in the Traveller's Diary.

The town itself is a balanced combination of soothing spa space, modern life and the omnipresent legacy of its ancestors. It is set in beautiful countryside in the foothills of the White Carpathians and Vizovice Hills and is itself full of greenery, flowers, colourful facades of houses and spa villas. The mineral springs are a richness, most of them are freely accessible to visitors. Lovers of architecture will enjoy themselves here. The Slovak "poet of wood" Dušan Jurkovič gave the spa area a touch of fairy-tale backdrops in the spirit of folk art nouveau, and there are many excellent examples of functionalism, among which the recently reconstructed spa colonnade with the building of the Vincentka spring stands out. While wandering around the city, take a look at the White Quarter, or "Little Prague" in the form of the Prague Quarter, as well as the Brussels Fountain and the Bedřich Smetana House and other beautiful buildings. The locals are aware of its qualities and it's no secret that Luhačovice Spa is not giving up on its bid to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

If you're full of experiences of the town and the spa area, it's time to head out into the countryside. There are enjoyable hiking terrains that allow you to wander peacefully near the town, but you can also head into the surrounding hills and enjoy views of a landscape that alternates dense forests with pastures and orchards. Cycling enthusiasts will be well served by the cycle paths that run through the valley of the Štiavnica river, which flows through Luhačovice, but they will also take you on a number of routes that promise a ride in fun terrain. Popular are the trails leading along the slopes of Komonec mountain, but you can also go to Slavičín. There is a 25km circuit through varied countryside with many views of the surrounding area. A 30 km long bicycle trip to Bojkovice and Uherský Brod with a return by rail can also be interesting. Walking, hiking and cycling routes are described in tourist guides, which can be obtained at the Tourist Information Centre in the Elektra House of Culture. You can also take inspiration from www.vmnakole.cz, where several routes leading from Luhačovice are also listed. If you don't bring your own bicycle to Luhačovice, it's OK. It's not a problem to rent a bike or e-bike here, for example opposite the train station. On the circuit by the Luhačovice dam you can ride a scooter - either your own or rented.

Trips to the surroundings of Luhačovice allow you to discover many nooks, stories and secrets. For some it will be the Lake of Love, for others the mysterious Sacrifice Mountain, for others it will be interesting the Stations of the Cross built last year between Nevšová and Slavičín. A hike to nearby Bojkovice with its fairy-tale beautiful castle and the extraordinary Bojkov Museum is also pleasant. You can easily get back to Luhačovice by train.

A short distance from Luhačovice is the pilgrimage site Provodov-Maleniska. The spring of the local miraculous water figures in the story of the miller who regained her sight. The altarpiece in the pilgrimage church of Our Lady of the Snows is also interesting. It depicts the Madonna breastfeeding, a motif quite unusual in the countries north of the Danube. You can also head to the ruins of the castles of Engelsberg (Sehrad), Starý Světlov or Rýsov. The rock at Rýsov near Provodov has a reputation as a place where devils used to live and feast. As the legend goes, the rocks are torn and perforated by the claws of devils and stained red by the blood of cattle that the monsters devoured here.

Categories: Tourism, Spa, Luhačovice