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Olomouc at the top
Three years, three excellent awards by the world’s prestigious guidebook. Lonely Planet made a list of the most beautiful, yet lesser known tourist destinations. It wasn’t the hot springs of Iceland, Gibraltar Rocks, Odysseus" Ithaca or Luxemburg that ranked in first place but the historical center of Olomouc!
The mini guidebook, Secret Europe, presents tourists with fifty cities from different parts of Europe. The largest, world-renowned guidebook publisher attracts tourists to Olomouc by saying that “in terms of tourism Olomouc can be equated to an authentic restaurant which is your own, small, personal secret. The Main Square is amongst the most enchanting in the country. It is surrounded by historical buildings. It is adorned by the Holy Trinity Column listed as the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage. Magnificent churches, many of which host an exciting history, are scattered in the streets of the historical center. Explore the foundations of the ancient Olomouc castle in the Archdiocese Museum which is a must-see and then set out to one of the many pubs or mini-breweries.” In 2012, the publisher also awarded Olomouc by ranking it in the top ten most beautiful hidden treasures in Europe. One year later it was once again on the list of the recommended destinations in Moravia. “It’s beautiful as well as surprising for us. Lonely Planet is to tourist guidebooks what Michelin is to gastronomy. “I perceive it as a win in the tourist Olympics,” responded Olomouc mayor, Martin Major, when he first heard of the award. “I am very pleased that the professional editor-in-chief of this publication truly appreciates the beauty of our city, its picturesque atmosphere and its uniqueness.
Apart from other things, Olomouc captivated them by the fact that it offers the same architectural treasures as Prague but without the crowds of tourists. It is definitely Olomouc’s advantage in comparison with our capital. However, despite repeated acclaim from the renowned guidebook, it may only be temporary,” mentioned the mayor, Major, with a smile. The deputy mayor, Jan Holpuch added, “I believe that this is an opportunity to introduce our beautiful city to many other tourists.” “I think that being awarded as a hidden treasure or undiscovered city will give Olomouc an even stronger stamp of attractiveness and will evoke more interest in potential visitors.”
Olomouc has been trying to advertise its beauty in a high-quality and systematic way. In the past years, this attempt has proven effective. Statistically as well as simply looking into the streets of the city center confirms that the number of tourists to Olomouc has truly increased. Olomouc is on the list of destinations offered by travel agencies as for example, one-day trips from Prague or as a part of the Vienna – Krakow route. “Greater advertising in cooperation with the agency CzechTourism certainly helped.
This agency gives Olomouc more space than before,” says Karin Vykydalová, head of the tourism department. “Acclaim from Lonely Planet obviously helps. Ideally, a visitor comes here based on the recommendation, is satisfied here and then recommends Olomouc to his friends back home,” adds Dušan Gavenda of the same department. Lonely Planet Secret Europe can be downloaded for free at:
The city authorities of Olomouc realized that their city needed a zoo in the 1950s, when in the main city park. Smetana founded a small zoological corner, where several species of mammals and birds characteristic of the Czech Republic were kept. However, among the cages with traditional herons and hawks, there were enclosures with parrots and peacocks, which were invariably crowded with children.
The creation of a large zoo had to be approached with the utmost seriousness. The initial task was to find a suitable site. It was found outside the city on the Holy Hill, which formerly belonged to the Gradi Monastery, and consisted of 42.5 hectares of coniferous forest.
The year the zoo was founded is considered to be 1953. A lot of people worked on the construction of enclosures for animals, mostly ordinary townspeople who worked on a voluntary basis and did not receive pay. In addition to pavilions and various kinds of utility rooms, a lot had to be done: supply water and electricity, lay a convenient route to the entrance to the zoo, take care of creating infrastructure. All this was done by 1956.
Now it is one of the most favorite holiday destinations for residents and guests of Olomouc. Here you can see representatives of both local and exotic fauna: giraffes, kangaroos, lemurs, Ussuri tigers and so on. In addition to displaying mammals and birds to spectators, the zoo also breeds rare species. For example, zoo staff participate in various breeding programs, including those related to the reproduction of herons and mountain goats.
In the center of the zoo there is an observation tower, from which you can look at the territory of this park from a great height. There is also an aquarium, the pride of which is small reef sharks.
Olomouc Zoo was founded in 1953 and covers an area of 43 hectares. Here you can see both local and exotic animals. These are giraffes, kangaroos, lemurs, Ussuri tigers and so on.
Fauna of Olomouc Zoo
Today, 1,700 animals of 350 species live on a fairly large area, some of them are listed in the Red Book. Here you can see the rare Asian elephant, clouded leopard, hornbill
Among the attractions of the zoo are:
- a bat section in which bats fly above the heads of visitors,
- huge seawater aquarium volume of 44,000 liters with coral reefs, various freshwater and saltwater fish and several blacktip sharks
- primate room, where visitors can walk through suspension bridge, and watch animals without nets or barriers.
The fauna is represented by 145 species of terrestrial inhabitants, as well as birds, 200 species of reptiles.
The zoo has a huge collection of mammals, herbivores, artiodactyls, as well as more than 20 species of snakes in the terrarium and several types of exotic fish in the aquarium.
Among the birds, the white peacock especially stands out, perhaps the most beautiful bird among birds. It is a relative of pheasants, but differs in plumage.
Peacocks are born yellow; by the time they mature, the color of the feathers becomes snow-white. These are very hardy birds and, with proper care, can live forty to fifty years. Among the mammals, we should highlight the ring-tailed lemur, American jaguar, Burcellus zebra, Indian porcupine and many other unique species
Reptiles are represented by the African clawed frog, Nile crocodile, tiger python, and yellow anaconda.
Of particular interest to visitors is the penguin house. These funny animals live here. They frolic, rest, swim like ducks or stand still.
Not far from the zoo there is an inexpensive hotel where you can stay for a reasonable fee. On the territory of the park there is a restaurant with delicious and healthy food, a souvenir shop, and a scientific library with literature about nature. There are benches, gazebos, and a barbecue area for visitors.
Opening hours: from 8.00 to 18.00
Ticket price: adults - 100 CZK, children from 3 to 15 years old - 60 CZK.
How to get to Olomouc Zoo?
Address: From the center of Olomouc the zoo can be reached in 30 minutes.
From the metro to the park you can take bus No. 130.
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