Svitavy

Svitavy (German: Zwittau) is a small city in the Pardubice Region of eastern Bohemia, situated on the Svitava River near the Moravian-Bohemian border. The town is known primarily as the birthplace of Oskar Schindler (1908–1974), the German industrialist who saved over 1,200 Jews during the Holocaust, as depicted in the film Schindler's List. A museum and memorial in the town commemorate his legacy.

Svitavy has a long history dating to the 13th century and was historically a bilingual Czech-German town. The town centre features a pleasant main square, several churches, and a museum. The surrounding countryside is agricultural with gentle hills. The climate is continental with four distinct seasons. The city has a population of approximately 17,000 and offers a quiet, authentic atmosphere.

By Plane

The nearest international airport is Prague (PRG), approximately 160 km away. Brno Airport (BRQ) is about 60 km southeast.

By Train

Svitavy has a railway station on the line connecting Brno to Pardubice. Trains from Brno take approximately 1 hour, and from Pardubice about 1 hour 15 minutes.

By Car / Road

Driving from Prague takes approximately 2.5 hours. From Brno the drive is about 1 hour. Roads are well-maintained.

The town centre is compact and walkable. Regional buses serve nearby towns. A car is useful for exploring the broader region.

• Oskar Schindler's Birthplace and Memorial — a museum and memorial commemorating the industrialist who saved over 1,200 Jews. Admission approximately 60 CZK.

• Town Square — a pleasant square with historical buildings and the city hall.

• Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary — a Gothic church with baroque modifications.

• Svitavy Museum — local history and ethnography exhibits.

• Visiting the Schindler memorial — a significant historical site.

• Walking tours of the old town — the square and surrounding streets.

• Cycling — the Svitava River valley provides scenic routes.

• Visiting nearby towns — Moravská Třebová and Litomyšl are accessible.

Traditional Czech cuisine at moderate prices. Main courses range from 100–200 CZK.

• Restaurants on the town square — traditional Czech dishes.
• Local pubs — Czech beer and basic meals.

Czech beer and tap water.

• Budget: Guesthouses offer rooms from 400–700 CZK per night.
• Mid-range: Hotel & Restaurant Svitavy provides rooms from 1,000–1,500 CZK per night.
• Upscale / heritage: Limited upscale options in town.

Small local shops sell regional produce and basic goods. The museum shop offers Schindler-themed books and souvenirs.

• Moravská Třebová (15 km) — town with Renaissance château.
• Litomyšl (30 km) — UNESCO-listed Renaissance château.
• Brno (60 km) — second largest Czech city.
• Pardubice (70 km) — regional capital.
• Prague (160 km) — the capital city.