Mikroregion Velkomeziříčsko – Bítešsko

Microregion of Velké Meziříčí and Velká Bíteš

This microregion accounts for a large part of the Czech-Moravian Highlands.

It is formed by 55 communities which are concentrated around the largest centres of the microregion – major towns of Velké Meziříčí and Velká Bíteš, and small market towns of Měřín and Křižanov. The microregion is crossed from the westto the south-east direction by the most important traffic artery of the Czech Republic, motorway D1 between Prague and Brno. The D1 motorway passes above Velké Meziříčí on one of the largest bridge constructions in the Czech Republic – a motorway bridge featuring a height of 76 m and a length of 426 m. Thanks to this traffic artery the microregion is easily accessible from all the parts of the Czech Republic.

The picturesque landscape of the microregion is popular especially with lovers of well-maintained nature - tourists, cycling tourists, mushroom pickers and in winter in particular with lovers of cross-country skiing.

The terrain is divided by long hills, river valleys and by many forests – it is accessible not only for skilled tourists but there are also suitable locations for walks and light tours for seniors as well as families with little children.

The landscape is characterised also by ponds, the oldest of which were established already in the13^th century. A significant part of the microregion has a status of protected areas. This means that there are places with original vegetation, rare species of plants and animals, peat bog areas and rocky formations.

The lovers of monuments will be satisfied as well. In every community you can find at least a small chapel or bell tower, stone and metal crosses, stones of conciliation, while there are churches and parish houses in larger communities. The local inhabitants take care with love of all these monuments.

You are sure not to overlook major monumental constructions either – ruins of citadels, fortresses as well as church constructions.

The microregion is prepared very well for tourists as well as for other visitors, there are both accommodation and catering facilities, information tourist centres. The stays there will be appreciated especially by those who are looking for calm places out of busy tourist centres.

The inhabitants of the microregion communities live rich cultural as well as social lives, which is evidenced by the large number of various traditional events which are organised by individual communities.

The fire brigades of volunteer fire fighters belong among the most active organisers of these events. You could hardly find a community which would not have any volunteer fire fighter brigade. Its members fulfil their basic tasks, i.e. the protection of lives as well as assets of inhabitants, they take care for their technical equipment means with love, whose age is in many cases quite honourable. They are bringing up their successors, organising balls, sports events, events for children, they work a lot of voluntary hours to the benefit of the community. It is usually the members of the volunteer fire fighter brigade that have been taking care of organising various sports, entertainment and social events for many years. By doing so they fully comply with the motto governing the activities of all volunteer fire fighters: “Serve thy God, Honour thy country, Help thy neighbour”.