Veveri Castle

Veveri stands on a spur above the Svratka north-west of Brno and is one of the largest castle complexes in the country - a long spread of walls, towers, a palace and a chapel over several courtyards, founded in the twelfth century and extended repeatedly. Its twentieth century was hard: it passed through several owners, was damaged in the war, was then handed to a state forestry school and later to a university, decayed badly, and by the 1990s was close to lost. Restoration since 1999 has been slow and partly volunteer-driven, and it shows - some sections are restored, some are shells, and the visit crosses between them, which is honest and unusual. The reservoir below means the standard approach is by boat from Bystrc, which takes about half an hour and is the pleasant way to arrive. Concerts and events run in the courtyards.

What you actually see

• One of the largest complexes - walls, towers and courtyards over a long spur.
• Restoration in progress - restored sections beside unroofed shells.
• A boat approach - about half an hour from Bystrc across the reservoir.
• A twelfth-century foundation - extended over eight centuries of building.

When to go

April to October. Half a day.

Honest expectations

Much of the castle is unrestored and closed. Boats are seasonal and weather-dependent. The road approach involves a walk. Guided routes vary by what is currently open.

Nearby

Brno is twelve kilometres south-east; the reservoir shore is walked and cycled.