Jihlava

The Church of Saint James the Greater, founded in 1280 by wealthy silver merchants, stands as Jihlava's principal religious monument. Its soaring Gothic spire at 77 meters punctuates the skyline, visible from across the River Jihlava. Inside, the triple-nave hall features delicate ribbed vaults and pointed-arch windows illuminated by stained-glass panels depicting saints and biblical narratives. The ornate Baroque high altar, installed in 1740, is carved with cherubs and silver mining emblems, while a majestic pipe organ with over 4,000 pipes fills the space during regular organ concerts. Visitors can climb a narrow stone staircase to the tower gallery for panoramic views of red-tiled roofs, verdant hills, and the Jordan Reservoir. Renaissance fresco fragments in side chapels and the medieval baptistery by the entrance offer glimpses of the church's thousand-year evolution. Seasonal candlelit processions and cultural events further showcase its enduring role as both a spiritual haven and an architectural marvel.

Jihlava City Park, known locally as Smetanovy sady, was inaugurated in 1881 in honor of composer Bedrich Smetana. Spread across 10 hectares, the park is shaded by mature linden trees and horse chestnut groves lining its winding walking paths. Neoclassical gazebo pavilions and ornate fountains punctuate manicured lawns and colorful flowerbeds of tulips and daffodils. The central bandstand hosts summer concerts and community gatherings, while hidden benches beneath leafy canopies invite quiet reflection. Play areas and picnic lawns make it popular with families, and an annual recreation festival features local food stalls and live performances. A restored rose garden blooms each spring, and a small amphitheater stages open-air theater under the stars. The park's heritage paths trace original 19th-century layouts, blending cultural events with natural beauty to create Jihlava's beloved urban oasis.

The Jihlava Underground is the second-largest subterranean labyrinth in the Czech Republic, stretching over 25 kilometers beneath the city. Carved in the 14th century as a network of rock-hewn storage cellars and defensive passages, the tunnels once safeguarded grain and valuables against siege. Over centuries they expanded to include secret escape routes, hidden sandstone chambers, and deep galleries cut into the hillside. Today, guided tours wind through dimly lit corridors under historic homes, revealing medieval construction techniques and legends of secret treasure. The highlight is the famed "Glowing Corridor", where mineral-laden walls emit an eerie greenish glow. Special ghost tours by torchlight recount tales of smuggled monks and clandestine meetings, while occasional underground concerts let visitors experience music in an atmospheric stone hall. With a stable 9°C climate, the tunnels once served as storage for medicinal herbs, and modern archaeologists use the vaults to study artifact preservation. Seasonal archaeology workshops invite families to handle replica tools and uncover hidden passageways of Jihlava's subterranean realm.

Masaryk Square covers over 16,000 square meters at the heart of Jihlava and is named after President Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk. Surrounded by ornate Renaissance façades and elegant Baroque gables, the square's cobblestones echo centuries of trade and festivity. At its center stands a towering Baroque plague column erected in 1723 to give thanks for surviving the great epidemic, and the adjacent Old Town Hall displays a Renaissance portal crowned by a carved municipal crest. Seasonal farmers’ markets spill into the plaza, offering regional cheeses, honey, and Moravian wines, while folklore festivals animate the space with traditional music, dance, and colorful costumes. In summer, open-air concerts fill the evening air under festoon lights, and winter Christmas markets glow with handcrafted ornaments and steaming mugs of mulled mead. Guided historical walking tours depart hourly from a decorative fountain, sharing tales of medieval guilds and imperial visits. Masaryk Square remains Jihlava's vibrant civic stage, blending architectural splendor with living community traditions.

Zoological Garden of Jihlava, located just a short walk from the city center, is home to over 150 species and emphasizes conservation and education. Its sprawling exhibits include an African savanna enclosure where giraffes and gazelles roam amid acacia trees, and an Amazonian pavilion that replicates tropical humidity for caimans and macaws. In the Big Cats domain, Amur tigers and Eurasian lynx inhabit naturalistic habitats, while a lively lemur island allows visitors to observe ring-tailed lemurs leaping through treetops. The petting zoo invites children to feed goats and sheep, and daily feeding demonstrations reveal zookeepers’ conservation efforts. Behind the scenes, the zoo runs breeding programs for endangered species, and seasonal nocturnal safaris by torchlight unveil the secretive habits of owls and badgers. Picnic areas under shade trees and a modern playground make it a favorite for families. With interactive workshops on wildlife stewardship and an on-site café overlooking the enclosures, Jihlava Zoo offers an immersive day of discovery for animal lovers of all ages.