Things to Do in Špilberk Castle

Brno rings its cathedral bells at 11 AM to fool Swedish armies—and somehow this well captures the city's clever, unpretentious character. The Czech Republic's second-largest city doesn't chase Prague's fame, which makes it far more interesting than its tourist-packed neighbor. Total Czech authenticity. Špilberk Castle has dominated the skyline since the 13th century, watching university students mix with locals in cafes that serve the community rather than performing for cameras. The fortress tells Czech history in brutal layers—medieval stronghold, baroque citadel, then one of Europe's harshest prisons before becoming a cultural center that makes history engaging. You can walk the entire historic center in an afternoon. But you won't want to leave that quickly.

The food scene operates at Prague quality with significantly lower prices. Traditional hospodas serve proper Czech classics while the university crowd supports casual bistros and cafes that compete on actual food rather than location. Moravian wine deserves attention. The region produces the Czech Republic's best bottles, and local wine bars offer tastings that showcase varieties most visitors never encounter outside this region.

May and September deliver perfect walking weather without summer tourist crowds. Winter transforms the city into a cozy Central European postcard, and indoor attractions like the underground ossuary work just as well in cold weather. Christmas markets are genuinely festive. Summer brings outdoor festivals and events, but Villa Tugendhat tours become nearly impossible to book without advance planning.