Advertisement
Published: April 8th 2007
Edit Blog Post
(July 7 through July 8 2006)
July 7
It was very early when we left Katowice. The ride was comfortable, and we were feeling very relaxed after staying the night at such a great hotel. A bit past noon, we arrived into the town of Olomouc, Czech Republic, and the weather was scorching hot. We took refuge in the station while we got our bearings straight. The information office was helpful, and followed the map straight into the center of town on foot. The walk was great, and well worth it--though by the end of the walk we were both sweating profusely. From the train station we took Masarykova trida, and walked on that street for several blocks, past some waterways, and residences.
Getting closer to town, the streets become cobbled, and the atmosphere changes. Very relaxing and welcoming. Once Masarykova joins with Komenskeho, you get a glimpse of a beautiful church, St. Wenceslas Cathedral. It is beautiful and jaw dropping. We made a slight detour from the main road, and walked a small incline to see the cathedral closer. Simply put, it is beautiful.
From there we got back on the main drag, Denisova, and took a side
Olomouc, Czech Republic
St. Moritz Church--the double helix stair case street a few blocks further, Ostruznika, which lead us into the main square. Already tired, we head to the northwest corner of the square, straight into the tourist office. The main square is beautiful, but we wanted to hurry and drop our bags off at the hostel. Not far at all, Poet's Corner Hostel is a few blocks northwest of the tourist office. The place is wonderful, well organized, and has a very chill feel. It is a five floor walk, and you have to take your shoes before you walk in. The man that was in charge at the time we arrived was extremely helpful, and told us everything to know about the town. The hostel has several guides for restaurants, and a bar listing from A to Z. It even has a book exchange. The guy in charge gave us a map of the city, and a quick run down of the best places to see in the day we were going to be there.
After showering and cooling off, we went out to see as much of he city as we could. The first stop was St. Moritz Church, a two block walk east and one block
Olomouc, Czech Republic
St. Moritz Church--on the walk to the top, a view of the Holy Trinity Column. south from the hostel. The church provides wonderful views from a top of the city, and has a double helix staircase--that is the best way to describe it. They ask for donations to walk up the stair case. Olomouc is spread out before you from the top, and some time up there is very relaxing.
From the church we walked straight south, and directly into the main square. The Astronomical Clock in the town square is beautiful, and it rings only once a day, exactly at noon. Next to the Astronomical Clock is the Holy Trinity Column, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our walking tour led us south towards one of the many fountains in the city, the Jupiter Fountain in Dolni namesti. A restaurant that the man at the hostel suggested is located here, and we would come back later. We kept walking south until we reached a market, closing down for the day. We sat next to a stand and enjoyed a cold beer. Once relaxed, we walked down past the city walls, into a park area, and strolled around for a bit.
Our walk led us up a stair case in the park, up the city fortifications,
Olomouc, Czech Republic
View of Olomouc from the top of St. Moritz Church--St. Wenceslas Cathedral in the background. and back into the city through Na Hrade. We walked through side streets, taking in all that this beautiful city had to offer. Very clean, and the architecture is stunning.
Early afternoon now, and we decide to sit for a little bit and enjoy a nice meal. U Červeného volka is very nice restaurant, on the lower town square, Dolni namesti. The plates we ordered were cheap and delicious, accompanied by refreshing beer. We were happy, and from here we decided to enjoy the night life that the city had to offer. Thanks to the guide from the hostel, we bar hopped all night. South of the city, we started at a place that has a Russian theme. After enjoying beers at an empty bar we moved on to an open air bar, north of the main square. A bit expensive, but a wonderful atmosphere, filled with people. I enjoyed a couple of White Russians.
Feeling pretty good, we head to another bar that was well recommended. A university bar on the same drag that we had walked from the train station. Unfortunately we didn't find it on our first attempt, and had to settle on an Irish bar. Empty,
Olomouc, Czech Republic
View of Olomouc from the top of St. Moritz Church we have a few beers and leave once again. We see a bar, with a few people inside, and we sit and enjoy the atmosphere. Talking to the bartender we ask for directions to the bar we are trying to look for. He says we found it, we are sitting there. Not very lively as we were told, but fun nonetheless. Feeling pretty good, we leave as the bartender starts closing up, and head back towards the hostel. Luckily a very lively bar gets our attention, and we walk in. Everyone drunk, and enjoying music, we sit to have a beer. We strike a conversation with two guys next to us, and we soon have friends for the night.
After a few beers, they get the bartender to serve us some harsh alcohol, and invite us to the next spot. Not to far away, the other bar is even livelier, and we spend a few moments with new friends. They wish us great travels through the Czech Republic and are extremely wonderful people. We say goodbye after enjoying more Czech beer. The climb to the hostel is a hassle, and trying to keep quiet is even harder, but we managed.
Olomouc, Czech Republic
View of Olomouc from the top of St. Moritz Church. July 8
Ten o'clock rolls around, we slowly get out of bed, and get ready to see what we can of the town before we leave. We check out, and the man at the hostel lets us leave our bags there while we sight see for the few remaining hours. Our first stop is an internet cafe two blocks away--a very good place. Next is a church on the east side of the town, the name escapes me at this moment. A very nice walk from where we were. We walk around inside, and through the courtyard. There is an underground well, and it was nice to see. We take advantage of the nice weather and stroll all through the town's side streets once again.
Around 11:30 we spot a Chinese restaurant, and eat quickly as we want to make it to the Astronomical Clock at noon. The bells are nice, and tourists form somewhat of a crowd to enjoy the sounds.
We grabbed our bags, hopped on the tram, and headed to the train station to head to the last stop on our trip: Prague.
Olomouc is a beautiful city, and the architecture and history that it has
Olomouc, Czech Republic
View of Olomouc from the top of St. Moritz Church. is very enchanting. The hostel was wonderful, and the locals we met were more than welcoming. I would love to visit again.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.261s; Tpl: 0.013s; cc: 14; qc: 71; dbt: 0.1118s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.2mb