Bike trip to the famous castles of Slavkov and Bučovice

Come and honor the lives lost in battle

Take a 27-kilometre trip from Brno, take the train from the main train station in Brno to Šlapanice or to Slavkov on line S6. From the station in Šlapanice, take the Napoleonova bike route through Ponětovice to the village of Prace. Here turn uphill to the Cairn of Peace Memorial. 

The unique Cairn of Peace Memorial

In a European context, a unique war memorial in the middle of the Austerlitz battlefield with a message of peace. It was built neither for the heroic victors nor for the brave losers. It embodies remembrance for all the lives lost in the war. It stands on the battlefield as a memento of the wars and in honour of all those who died in Napoleon's victorious Battle of Austerlitz in 1805. Visit not only the local café, but also the multimedia exhibition "The Battle of the Three Emperors of Austerlitz / Austerlitz 1805" - Don't be afraid of a boringparade of dates, instead an extraordinary experience awaits you! You will understand how the borders of the states of the time changed and how the power relations of the whole of Europe changed after this conflict.

And now, enjoy the views of the region

From the cairn, return to the village of Prace and continue along bike route 5097 to Křenovice. Spectacular views of the relaxing countryside await you. You'll understand Napoleon's strategy - This is where he wanted to fight the battle because he had an ideal overview of the situation. 

At the Krchůvek memorial site, the resting place of the the soldiers killed in the Battle of Austerlitz, you will also find the ancient reconciliation cross on the hill Zlatá hora. Continue to Křenovice. On the way you will pass the statue of Marshal Kutuzov, a Russian commander and Napoleon's adversary. In Křenovice you have two ways to reach Slavkov. The shorter (unmarked in the terrain) route is over the executioner's hill and then along the road 416 directly to the castle. The longer way to Slavkov is marked as Brněnská 5097. It leads through Hrušky and Vážany nad Litavou, where there is little traffic, but it ends on the very busy road No. 46.

And where to in Slavkov?

You're looking forward to the castle, so we have some tips for you. Check out the castle balcony. It was from here that Napoleon spoke to his soldiers after the victorious battle. The night BEFORE the battle, the Austrian Emperor Francis I and the Russian Tsar Alexander I had a ball here and did not doubt the advantage of their numerical superiority. 

The tour of the magnificent historic halls has a version for children. We definitely recommend a stroll through the beautiful park with its newly restored statues. Want it more action-packed? Download a playing card and play a game of Stories Carved in Stone in the gardens.

Before the next phase to Bučovice, satisfy hunger hunger and thirst

After a tour of Slavkov Castle, head down Bučovická street. You can have refreshments at the Slavkov Brewery before your next journey. From Slavkov, a safe bike path leads to Bučovice. The local landmark is the castle with its charming garden. Every year an unusual victory is commemorated here: In 1645, the castle was defended by a handful of officials, hunters and townspeople against an outnumbered Swedish troop. (In June, the annual event is commemorated as "Bučovice 1645: Storming the Castle www.facebook.com/Bucovice1645.) In the castle itself, you'll find a curiosity in the form of the Rabbit Room, where "rabbits run on the ceiling" and a charming Renaissance garden. 

And how to get back?

By train from Bučovice towards Brno, line S6, R56.

Something (not only) for children

In the elegant garden of the Slavkov castle, play a fun game called Stories Carved in Stone. It's not about Napoleon, but giants also appear in it... the ancient gods themselves. You can get the playing card and information about the game at the tourist information centre in the castle or download it here on our website. 

Gastro tips along the way

Café at the Cairn of Peace Memorial, Golfhotel Austerlitz, Slavkov Brewery, pastry shop and café U tří císařů in Slavkov.

Guided tour of the Austerlitz battlefield

Don't feel like reading Wikipedia, but would you like to learn everything there is to know about Napoleon's cavalry? A unique sightseeing tour and a guide will take you across the battlefield to Slavkov Castle. During the expert commentary, you will learn how the Battle of the Three Emperors went on in December 1805 and why it made Napoleon Bonaparte forever a part of European history. Bookings at rezervace@zamek-slavkov.cz, info at www.zamek-slavkov.cz.