How the City's History Was Written
The royal city of Olomouc was founded in the mid-13th century, but its history goes much deeper, all the way back to prehistory. The first permanent settlement appeared here 6,000 years ago, as numerous excavated settlements and burial grounds show.
In the 11th century, a castle rose on Wenceslas Hill and a bishopric for Moravia was established here. The city grew and surrounded itself with walls. Under John of Luxembourg in the 14th century, Olomouc became the capital of Moravia and kept its importance for centuries.
Historic and Natural Landmarks Nearby
The city is rich in historic buildings. Its core was declared a protected heritage reserve in 1971. Every architectural style is represented in the cityscape, from Romanesque to the present day.
The Baroque was the city's most important building era. National cultural monuments include the Holy Trinity Column (UNESCO), a famous monument commemorating a plague epidemic the city survived, along with countless churches and 6 Baroque fountains (Neptune, Hercules, Jupiter, Tritons, Caesar, Mercury, Saturn).
Stop in front of the Olomouc Astronomical Clock, which has decorated the town hall wall since the 15th century but was damaged at the end of World War II.
The 17th-century St. Sarkander Chapel, built on the site of a former prison and torture chamber, was the last place St. John Sarkander stayed.
Among modern buildings, Villa Primavesi is worth a visit, one of the examples of Viennese Secession in Moravia. St. Maurice Church, a significant Late Gothic building, boasts the seventh-largest organ in Central Europe.
Climb its tower and you'll see the Baroque pilgrimage church on the horizon, the Basilica of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary on Svatý Kopeček, which you can't miss from this viewpoint.
The Heart of Olomouc
Greenery surrounds the historic center. Between landmark visits, Čech and Smetana Gardens or the park along Mlýnský potok invite a walk, where the group can rest and recharge.
The Holy Trinity Column dominates Upper Square and is one of the city's symbols. For a team, it's a natural meeting point nobody will miss.
Natural highlights worth exploring include the Litovelské Pomoraví Protected Landscape Area (on foot, by bike or by boat), the complex labyrinth of fissure passages in the Mladeč Caves, and the Hunting and Forestry Museum at Úsov Castle.
The museum displays hunting trophies of local and African game. You'll enjoy most of these sights during the geolocation team game Treasure Hunt Olomouc.
Why Visit Olomouc
Olomouc lies on the banks of the Morava River and ranks among the most important historic cities in the Czech Republic. Its story goes back to Roman times, when an important trade route called the Amber Road passed through here.
The city remains a center of learning. It's home to Palacký University, one of the oldest universities in Central Europe, which gives Olomouc a dynamic, youthful spirit.
A corporate group will find museums and galleries, walks through historic streets, parks and excellent food here. That means you can build the side program around the team's mood.
What Olomouc Offers
Throughout the year, the city hosts a wide range of cultural and sports events right on Upper Square in front of the town hall, including various markets and performances.
If you need to keep kids entertained, take them to the ropes course, get scared at the Haunted House or get hands-on with science at the Fortress of Knowledge (the interactive science museum of the local Palacký University).
In and around Olomouc, there are a number of forts built to protect the city from invaders. On one of them, Fort Křelov, we run a whole range of outdoor team-building programs.
Get Ready for Adventure
The fort and the historic center offer two distinct backdrops. Olomouc suits the story game Indiana and the Holy Grail, with costumes and stations, or the detective game Sherlock Strikes Back, where the team solves criminal cases with instructors dressed as constables.
Bad weather? For that case, we have a backup indoor program ready.
If you mainly want to explore downtown, go for Treasure Hunt Olomouc. Teams with a tablet and a map app search for 37 treasures at sites of history and culture, and the whole trip takes about two hours.
Getting There and Where to Stay
The D1 highway between Brno and Ostrava runs through Olomouc, but you can also arrive comfortably by train, since the city sits on a busy railway hub. Buses and streetcars run around the city; you can look up connections in IDOS Olomouc.
You'll find accommodations in hotels and guesthouses right downtown, as well as in nearby villages. For a budget stay, there are university dorms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where in Olomouc can a company hold outdoor team building? Fort Křelov is a good choice, one of Olomouc's forts, where we run a whole range of outdoor team-building programs. For a downtown program, Upper Square and the city gardens work well.
How do you get to a corporate event in Olomouc by car or train? The D1 highway between Brno and Ostrava runs through the city, and Olomouc sits on a busy railway hub, so the group can easily arrive by train too. Buses and streetcars run around the city.
Which programs suit team building in Olomouc? The story game Indiana and the Holy Grail or the detective game Sherlock Strikes Back fit the Olomouc setting. If you mainly want to explore the historic center, choose Treasure Hunt Olomouc with a tablet and a map app.
What if it rains during team building in Olomouc? A backup indoor program is ready for bad weather, so there's no need to cancel the event.
Where can a corporate group stay in Olomouc? You'll find hotels and guesthouses right downtown and in nearby villages. University dorms are a cheaper option.
Specialities of the Region
Central Moravia, with its Haná plains and fertile chernozem is an important agricultural region. One of its gastronomic specialities is ripened soft cheese made in Loštice village. Another famous symbol of the region is its richly decorated traditional costumes and the specific Haná dialect of the Czech language.
