the eleventh stage of hiking
Lukov - Zlín
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Basic information about the trail
The Cyril and Methodius Route from Lukov to Zlín is a captivating trail that blends cultural heritage with natural beauty. Starting in Lukov, known for its medieval castle ruins, the trail meanders through lush forests and rolling hills, offering picturesque views and a peaceful ambiance. The journey concludes in Zlín, a city celebrated for its unique architecture and vibrant cultural scene. This trail is well-marked with dark blue stickers featuring the Cyril and Methodius symbol, ensuring you stay on track. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a casual walker, this segment promises a memorable experience filled with spiritual and natural wonders.
What's ahead of us?
Starting point: Lukov
Ending point: Zlín
Distance: 12,4 km
Estimated travel time: 3:29 hours
Difficulty: medium
Altitude: ascent 140 m, descent 234 m
Surface: paved asphalt road, forest paths
Critical points: Lukov, Zlín - crossing main traffic roads
Our tip:
If you want to visit the Zoo Zlín-Lešná, we recommend that you set aside one full day or at least half a day to visit the whole area, including the beautiful Lešná Castle. We recommend the same for a visit to the city of Zlín, because there is a wide cultural offer waiting for you here as well.
What can be seen?
Archaeological, pilgrimage, technical and natural monuments.
Zoo Zlín-Lešná
- Lukovská 112, 763 14 Zlín
- www.zoozlin.eu
- office@zoozlin.eu
- +420 577 577 101
Zoo Zlín-Lešná
Zoo Zlín-Lešná is a unique place where you can see animals of all continents in a natural bio-park with free range. The animals live here in a successful imitation of their original environment. Birds live in aviaries that resemble their homeland, while mammals are displayed in natural exhibits. Visit the Zoo in Zlín and you won’t regret it! It is located 4 km from Zlín towards Holešov and is one of the most visited gardens in the Czech Republic. The originality of the zoo is the division of the premises according to continents.
You will travel through Africa, Asia, Australia and South America and meet 222 species of animals in one day. Among the most attractive are elephants, giraffes, rhinos, gorillas, sea lions, lions, tigers, penguins, parrots, anteaters and llamas, among many others. In the new Yucatan Tropical Hall, among the fauna and flora, you will see a memory of the Mayan civilization, the former inhabitants of the Yucatan Peninsula. It is said that Zoo Zlín-Lešná is one of the most beautiful places in Moravia.
Since June 2018, a new exhibition in the Amazon section (which is undergoing a long-term transformation) called Guayanas has been open. The completely transformed displays will gradually introduce not only the indigenous inhabitants of the Amazon region, such as howler monkeys, stork, South American storks and macaw parrots, but also new species. These include the four-toed anteaters or the true breeding treasure – the colourful tamarins. The ZOO in Zlín is the only zoo in the Czech Republic that breeds these. In the Asian part, a comfortable “den” for grizzly bears is to be built in the near future, which will allow you to admire these animals from close proximity.
Aviary for vultures – Gora Ark
The Zoo Zlín opened a large aviary for vultures and other bird species in the African region in August 2023. There are approximately 20 to 25 species of African vultures in the aviary, which have nesting boxes and the extra-large space allows them to fly. Visitors will also find the opportunity to see vultures feeding attractive – vultures are fed in the form of a whole animal (no longer alive), which they share as they would in normal nature. In addition to vultures, the aviary is also inhabited by western grey-headed parrots, rough-toothed beavers and various species of turacos. A rarity in the aviary is also a beautiful mature oak tree where the vultures like to rest.
Jaguar Trek
The Jaguar Trek grew up in Zoo Zlín in 2022, you can find it in the American area of the zoo in the slope under the tropical Yucatan Hall. It is the largest exhibit of its kind in Europe. The unique enclosure consists of a large outdoor area with a glass-enclosed swimming pool, a building with indoor quarters and breeding facilities. Apart from jaguars, the complex also houses condors and macaws. The jaguars have a superior exhibition area of over 2,000 m2. The individual buildings and the entire space tell the story of a journey through a landscape where wilderness meets the human world and where fauna often take up residence in abandoned relics of our civilisation.
The Bay of Rays
Its concept and size is unparalleled in Europe. Only in the Zlín Zoo can visitors see a group of adult stingrays, consisting of 16 females and 2 males, petted and even fed with shrimps. The ray bay pavilion was created by rebuilding the former monkey pavilion. It was inspired by natural history documentaries that showed how curious and friendly stingrays are to divers. There are stingrays in zoos all over the world, but in outdoor tanks, and that would not be possible in our conditions. That’s why an indoor bay was created in Zlín – and let’s add that there is no similar facility of this size anywhere else in Europe.
Source: kudyznudy.cz
Lešná Castle
- Lukovská 112, 763 14 Zlín
- www.zoozlin.eu
- zamek@zoozlin.eu
- +420 577 577 110
Lešná Castle
The fairytale-looking Lešná Castle belonged to the Seilern-Aspang family, who built it at the end of the 18th century according to a design by the Viennese architect Johann Mick. It is located in Štípa, a local part of Zlín, in the grounds of the local zoo. The beautiful interiors of the castle are among the most beautiful in the Czech Republic. Lešná Castle was built by the Seilern-Aspang family at the end of the 18th century. In 1886, the Seilern family decided to build a new more representative castle, the old building was demolished and a new castle was built in its place. It is built in a mixed historicist style – Neo-Gothic, Neo-Renaissance and Neo-Baroque. The new castle was very comfortably equipped.
There was electricity, piped hot and cold water, nice bathrooms, a domestic telephone and the whole castle was heated by central heating. The chateau became the leading residence of the Counts of Seilern thanks to the comfort it provided and the picturesque surrounding countryside, and was occupied until April 1945.
Architecture
There are richly carved wooden coffered ceilings in almost every room of the castle, the walls are covered with wooden panelling, all made of stained Slavonian oak. All the wooden panelling and ceilings were made in Vienna according to precise plans and transported to Lešná in parts and assembled there. The entrance hall is dominated by a magnificent spacious staircase leading to the count’s rooms. The Seilerns welcomed their guests on the ground floor, the first floor contained the count’s living quarters and the second (attic) floor was mostly guest rooms.
The boiler room and kitchen, storage and operating rooms were set up in the basement. To prevent food from getting cold during the journey from the basement, an elevator connected the kitchen and the first floor. Food was served in the dining room one floor up. There was a large folding table in the dining room that could be quickly set up. The largest room in the entire castle is the so-called Hall of the Ancestors, where portraits of the original owners of the castle, the Counts of Seilern, found their place among the wooden ceilings and walls. There is a billiard table in the billiard room, which can easily be turned into a snooker table. The bedroom occupied by the Countess resembles a mirror room. Adjoining the bedroom is a bathroom with the modern conveniences of hot and cold water and a flushing toilet.
Thanks to Count Seilern’s passion for travelling, there are many unique and historically valuable collections in the castle. These valuable items were collected by the Seilern family during a trip around the world in the 1930s. The collection includes items such as Japanese and Chinese porcelain, ebony and ivory statuettes, ancient excavations, sandalwood chests and many other art objects.
Source: www.kudyznudy.cz
Tomb of the Seilern family
- Kaple Kristova vzkříšení ve Zlíně-Štípě
- www.starokatolici.cz
- biskup.pavel@starokatolici.cz
- +420 725 611 528
Tomb of the Seilern family
The Chapel of the Resurrection of the Most Holy Saviour or the Chapel of St. John of Nepomuk is a cemetery chapel and the tomb of the Counts of Seilern-Aspang. The chapel was built around the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. The chapel is a central building. The central layout and some architectural elements belong to the Romanesque style. The impression of the Romanesque style is also enhanced by the portal of the building. The central part of the chapel is an octagon with an unequal plan. The presbytery is attached to it from the east, and the chapels are attached from the north and south. On the west, the nave vestibule is attached to the central hall. The presbytery, north and south chapels are identical in size; there is a wider entrance vestibule on the exterior plan adjoining from the west. The chapel is thus arranged in a strictly cruciform plan. The chancel and the two side chapels are finished with a vaulted ceiling above. The nave of the chapel is surmounted by an eight-sided tambour with four stained-glass windows. The roof consists of an eight-sided spire. The side chapels contain the tumbas. There is one in the right chapel and two in the left chapel. The tumbas are marble, decorated with a wreath sculpture on the top.
At first glance from the outside, the retreat portal of the chapel catches the eye. It is one of the architectural elements that evoke the Romanesque style of the building. The portal is completely made of sandstone and is stepped once. There are kneeling figures of angels on each side of the pedestal at the bottom of the stepping. Before and after the first gradation, a column is set into each side. Above the columns is a moulded cornice. The tympanum then depicts an eagle with a crown on the left and a two-tailed lion with a crown on the right. The two figures are facing away from each other and bear the family coat of arms of the Seilern-Aspang family; a crown is placed on the coat of arms. Above the cornice and around the tympanum is a recessed niche. A triangular shield rises above the tympanum. It is dominated by a sculpture of Christ crucified at the top, with two figures kneeling at his feet. The sculpture is placed in front of the top of the shield and is perched on a short column.
Source: www.starokatolici.cz
Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary
- Mariánské náměstí č. 57
- www.stipa.cz
- fastipa@ado.cz
- +420 733 741 900
Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary
The Pilgrimage Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in Štípa, a local part of Zlín, is one of the most important pilgrimage churches and remarkable examples of Baroque architecture. It is also one of the largest and most beautiful church buildings in the Olomouc Archdiocese. Its history is connected with Albrecht of Wallenstein. Before her death, the noblewoman Lukretia Nekes of Landek committed her husband Albrecht von Wallenstein to the construction of the church and monastery and bequeathed large sums of money for this purpose. The church is a single-nave building with a semicircular presbytery and vault, but it is impressive for its rich interior decoration and painting. In the interior, apart from the altar with the medieval Madonna, the altarpiece of Count Seilern in the classical style is also striking. The organ was built in 1890 by František Čapek and Max Zachistal from Kremze (now Austria) and the Štípa instrument is one of their largest and finest surviving pieces. The construction of the organ was paid for by Count Franz Seilern, the then patron of the church, at a cost of 5,500 gold coins. The organ is largely made of wood, i.e. the impulse from the keys to the pipes is guided by a system of wooden stops (mechanical tract). This magnificent monument is not only a valuable historical and artistic work, but also a wonderful legacy of our ancestors.
Source: www.kudyznudy.cz
The old church of Štípa
- Mariánské náměstí č. 57
- www.stipa.cz
- fastipa@ado.cz
- +420 733 741 900
The old church of Štípa
Literally a few metres from the new Štípa church – the Pilgrimage Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary – stands the old Gothic Štípa church, which was built in the second half of the 14th century when the Sternberg family enlarged the original chapel. The entrance portal of the old Štípa church can also be included in this period. Only some parts of this little church have survived to this day. Many changes in its life can be traced only from fragmentary chronicle records. The alien elements of different building stages that can still be found on the church tell us something about the changes. The earliest appearance of the church is quite consistent with its present state.
Four tombstones have been preserved in the old Štípa church. Two of them on the south side at the entrance to the church belong to the Nekes family, one to Jan Nekes the younger from Landek and Lukov, the other to his wife Barbara Bítovská from Slavíkovice and Lukov, grandparents of Lukrecia Nekes from Landek, the patroness of the new Štípa church.
The church served as the tomb of the Seilern family from 1807 to 1907. When they then built a new tomb in the newly established cemetery, the importance and notoriety of the old Stípa church gradually disappeared.
Only the nave of the original church remains today, as the flimsy presbytery was demolished in 1807.
Unfortunately, it is currently in a very poor condition (mainly due to groundwater) – extensive reconstruction work has been underway since 1997. Of course, it is still inaccessible to the public.
Source: www.stipa.cz
Bata Villa
- Gahurova 292 760 01 Zlín
- batova-vila.cz
- sekretariat@batova-vila.cz
- +420 577 219 083
Bata Villa
The construction of the Tomáš Bat’a Villa began in 1909 and was completed in 1911. It was built by the genius entrepreneur Tomas Bata, the founder of the Bata shoe factories. He wanted to build a comfortable residence for himself and his family where he could relax and still see his factory. The overall construction took two years, its basic shape was designed and built by the Vizovice builder František Novák, and T. Bat’a asked the architect Jan Kotera to finish it. The house was very simple for its time. Cosiness and functionality were the main attributes to which the interior and exterior of the villa were adapted. The interior is decorated with a number of architectural and craft gems. Around the grounds of the villa is a garden that was greatly influenced by the garden architect František Thomayer.
The Bata Villa was returned to the family after 1989 and in 1997 Tomáš Bata offered it as a space for the Foundation’s offices. The villa has become the place where most of the Foundation’s educational, cultural and social activities take place. At the same time, some rooms in the villa are available as conference facilities for the public.
Tour of the villa
The Tomáš Bat’a Foundation offers schools, companies and other organized groups tours of the Tomáš Bat’a Villa with expert commentary on his life, the history of the Bat’a company and the history of the house. The tours are free for schools. For companies and other organized groups for a fee of 65 CZK/person.
There is a minimum of 15 people in the group, the maximum number of participants is a maximum of 45 people. Tour requests should be addressed to: sekretariat@batova-vila.cz or tel. 577 219 083.
Source: www.kudyznudy.cz
Castle Zlín
- Soudní 1, 760 01 Zlín
- www.zlinskyzamek.cz
- info@zlinskyzamek.cz
- +420 602 560 020
Zlín Castle
Zlín is still historically new and young. More than 95% have ancestors only in the third or fourth generation, and the town has only a few houses over a hundred years old that have been preserved in their original form. The castle building with its 500-year-old walls is the only tangible link to the ancient past. The Zlín Castle is a four-winged castle with an inner courtyard in the middle of the Freedom Orchard in the centre of Zlín. The castle was originally a Gothic fortress, which was rebuilt in the second half of the 16th century in Renaissance style. The history of the chateau is of course connected with the history of Zlín as the centre of the Zlín manor. From the 3rd quarter of the 15th century, when Vilém Tetour of Tetovo acquired the estate, the Tetours became the owners for almost a hundred years and sold it to Jan Kropáč of Nevědomí in 1571. In 1589 it was bought by Kryštof Cedlar Pačlavský and from 1622 the Cedlar creditors, the most influential of whom, Kryštof Karel Podstatský of Prusinovice, was the de facto owner of the estate from the early 1530s. Until the middle of the 17th century the castle was permanently inhabited. In 1655, the estate was bought by Gabriel Serényi, who usually resided elsewhere. The same was the case under the Rothals (1712-1763). In 1763 the estate was inherited by the youngest daughter of Jáchym Adam Rotal, Maria Theresa, married name Khevenhüller. Between 1804 and 1857 the estate was owned by the Bretton family, from 1860 by the Haupt family.
From now on, a new phase of the castle grounds begins. The town leased the castle and the adjacent park to the Bat’a Support Fund in 1930 and the latter opened it to the general public. The castle became a club house and a place for meeting and debating, following the example of English clubs. A café, a restaurant, reading rooms and cultural and sports clubs also found a home here. Exhibition halls of the Regional Art Gallery and the Museum of Southeast Moravia were located in the premises of the castle since the end of the 1950s.
Reconstruction of the castle
The total reconstruction of the oldest building in Zlín began in the summer of 2021. It is a gradual work in stages, so the restoration of the castle will take several years, according to the design of the architect Pavel Mudřík. The castle will offer a number of new features after the reconstruction, such as a restaurant, a café, a confectionery, an artisan bakery and a museum of the history of Zlín.
Currently, the castle is home to the Living Zlín cultural and creative centre, the Václav Chad Gallery, the Office of the Zlín City Architect and the Courage sales gallery. The extensive premises are used for short-term exhibitions, cultural events and rentals.
Zdroj: www.kudyznudy.cz
Zlín City Information and Tourist Centre
- náměstí Míru 12, 760 01 Zlín
- www.ic-zlin.cz
- is@zlin.eu
- +420 577 630 222
14|15 Bata Institute
- Vavrečkova 7040, 760 01 Zlín
- www.14-15.cz
- info@14-15.cz
- +420 573 032 111 (115)
14|15 Bata Institute
The industrial buildings with the Bata markings 14 and 15 have been transformed into the modern cultural and educational centre 14|15 BATA INSTITUTE. The Regional Gallery of Fine Arts, the Museum of South-East Moravia and the F. Bartos Regional Library are located here. One of the first places to go when visiting Zlín is undoubtedly 14|15 BATA INSTITUT, located on the edge of the former Bata factory complex. Although the edge could be better described as a “gateway” to the now fully vibrant industrial space.
But let’s go back to the beginning for a moment. Let’s go back to 1944, when buildings marked 14 and 15 already existed on the same site, but unfortunately that was also the year of their demise. In this war year, the aerial bombs did not avoid these buildings either and both had to go down completely after the end of the war. The 15th building waited for its resurrection only until 1947. In 1949, Building 14 was also completed. These two mirror-symmetrical buildings came from the pen of architect Jiří Voženílek and were directly designed for the needs of shoe production. After the Bata era, shoe production continued in the buildings under the Svit brand. And then it went downhill for many years, until 2008, when the completely devastated buildings were bought by the Zlín Region. However, if you are interested in the architecture and history of these buildings in more depth, be sure to check out the pages of the ZAM Zlín Architectural Manual.ˇ
After a costly reconstruction, cultural institutions of the Zlín Region have found a home in the renovated buildings. The 14|15 BAŤ INSTITUTE houses the Regional Art Gallery, the Museum of South-East Moravia and the František Bartos Regional Library.
By the Regional Art Gallery you should not imagine just a building with paintings and sculptures, but a place where art is alive. In addition to the permanent exhibitions and other events, the building houses two exhibition spaces, a permanent exhibition, a graphic cabinet and regularly hosts a Galefield for the little ones.
In the Museum of Southeast Moravia, you will find a unique permanent exhibition, The Bata Principle: Today Fantasy, Tomorrow Reality. You will also find here a shoe museum, an exhibition dedicated to the filmmaking beginnings of the Zlín film studios or the travelling discoveries of Mr. Hanzelka and Mr. Zikmund.
The František Bartos Library, the largest library in the Zlín Region, has finally found a dignified and much-needed home here. Those interested can find here more than half a million documents in various formats.
You will find the Red Brick Design Shop in the lobby of Building 15, full of designer clothes, handbags and jewellery. Dozens of Czech brands have taken up residence here, many of them coming directly from Zlín or the surrounding area.
It’s also worth visiting the 14I15 Bata Institute for the Regional Information Centre, which you’ll find right on the ground floor of the 14th building, where you can get valuable advice and materials before visiting the city as a tourist.
The varied cultural life does not only take place inside the 14th and 15th buildings, but very often also between them. The buildings are connected by a large concrete platform, which often hosts concerts and various open-air events.
14I15 The Bata Institute brings constant variety to the lives of Zlín’s residents and visitors, be it the aforementioned concerts or lectures, travel talks or festivals. Lovers of art, architecture and history will find their own here. Moreover, the permanent exhibitions provide a comprehensive view of the Bata phenomenon in Zlín. Before you do, be sure to find out what there is to see in Bata’s Zlín, preferably plan a weekend in Zlín.
Where to eat and sleep?
Restaurants and accommodation along the trail.
Restaurant a Pension Lešná
- Zámecká 506, 763 14 Zlín, Štípa
- www.restauracelesna.cz
- penzion@restauracelesna.cz
- +420 577 914 052
Restaurant a Pension Silvie
- Mariánské náměstí 70763 14 Zlín-Štípa
- www.penzionsilvie.eu
- penzionsilvie@seznam.cz
- +420 603 225 841
Štefánikova University College
- Štefánikova 150 760 01 Zlín
- kmz.utb.cz
- koleje-u7@utb.cz
- +420 576 036 118
T.G.M. University College
- nám. T. G. Masaryka 3050, 760 01 Zlín
- kmz.utb.cz
- koleje-u12@utb.cz
- +420 576 038 002
Antonínova University College
- Antonínova 4379, 76001 Zlín
- kmz.utb.cz
- koleje-u6@utb.cz
- +420 576 036 205
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Photogalery
Photos from hiking.
Why walk the trails of the Cyril and Methodius Route?
The long-distance trails of the Cyril and Methodius Route invite you to pilgrimage sites and archaeological sites that have contributed significantly to the development of Slavic culture. They are signposted in both directions and encourage wandering without borders, not only state borders.
- Experience: you'll be surprised what you can do
- Great signposting: tourist signposting
- Incredible landscape: we wander through the countryside off the busy stretches
What can be obtained?
Perhaps everyone likes to bring back something from hiking, be it various tourist and souvenir items. If you will be hiking the Cyril and Methodius Route, we have prepared the following printed materials to motivate you to hike the trail:
- Pilgrimage passports: collecting stamps for a special passport
- Memorial letters: a souvenir letter at the end of the journey
- Maps: printed guide