Třebíč has been listed as a UNESCO site for 20 years now!

What do Třebíč and Israel have in common?

Třebíč is one of the biggest historical treasures of the Czech Republic. Because its heart is the Jewish Quarter,which is theonly fully preserved Jewish Quarter in Europe and is actually the only Jewish monument under the protection of UNESCO outside Israel! But it’s not just the Třebíč Ghetto with over 120 buildings, 2 synagogues and one of the largest Jewish cemeteries in the Czech Republic that makes this mysterious town in the Vysočina Region so unique.

Where there is a will, there is a way, or how a Christian and Jew exchanged houses

Its history also contributes to the uniqueness of Třebíč. In contrast to other places, the local Jews never suffered from controlled suppression in Třebíč. On the contrary! When the law ordered Jewish ghettos to be established in 1723, the Christian population living in the Jewish Quarter voluntarily exchanged their houses with their Jewish neighbours outside the gates of the Ghetto. This extraordinary expression of Christian tolerance played a role when the decision was made whether to list Třebíč as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Architectural cocktail

And the cherry on top of the Třebíč “cake” is the Christian Romanesque-Gothic St. Procopius Basilica – a gem of mediaeval architecture, which is a jewel among Czech monuments due to its architectural uniqueness. What is more, it is located surprisingly close to the Jewish Quarter, which is not exactly usual.

The basilica was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the Jewish Quarter and the Jewish Cemetery in June 2003. Several years later, UNESCO decided to expand the boundaries of the protected monuments in Třebíč by the Château, i.e. the complex of the former Benedictine monastery, which house the Vysočina Museum.

Třebíč celebrations of 20 years in UNESCO

The town is getting ready to celebrate the twentieth year since its historic centre was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in great style! From the 14 to 20 August, the town will come alive with traditional craft markets, fencing tournaments, a historic procession and period costumes, including a fireworks show.

A mediaeval town will be built in the Château’s moats near the Basilica, you can look forward to concerts, a theatre, guided tours and workshops. The celebrations will culminate with the town’s Three Cowls Festival, during which the meadow by the Jihlava River below the Château will be the main scene of events from Friday to Sunday.

Do you have more time? Visit Třebíč on an outing!

When you have finished admiring the mysterious atmosphere of Třebíč, you can also investigate its surroundings, which hide numerous other treasures. Visit the Renaissance château in Náměšť nad Oslavou or be amazed by the extraordinary palace in Jaroměřice nad Rokytnou, which is one of the most massive Baroque buildings in Europe.

Only several kilometres from Třebíč, you will find another gem listed as a UNESCO Heritage Site – Telč. You will feel like you are in a fairy tale in this town, which has the most magical square bordered by coloured historic buildings and a charming château!