9 Cool & Quirky Brno Underground Attractions, Czech Republic
If you’re planning to visit Brno, you’d be a fool to miss out on some of the fascinating Brno underground attractions.
The second largest city in the Czech Republic is home to a multitude of subterranean places, and most of them are easily accessible from the Old Town – in fact, you’ve probably walked over the top of some of them!
Whether you’re just planning a quick pit-stop in the city as part of a South Moravia road trip, or you’re sticking around for a few days, it’s worth adding at least a few of these points of interest to your Brno itinerary.
So, read on to find out how you can experience underground Brno.
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Brno Underground – At A Glance
No time to read this whole Underground Brno guide right now? no worries.
Here’s a quick glance list of the top 5 underground places in Brno I recommend adding to your visit to the city. If you only have one day in Brno, then just stick to the Labyrinth and the Ossuary.
If you have longer, then you’d be able to see all these Brno attractions over a few days plus more. If you’re travelling around the country, then why not download this Czech Republic bucket list and see how many places you can tick off?
Best Of Underground Brno
- Labyrinth Under the Vegetable Market
- Ossuary at St James’ Church
- 10-Z Bunker
- The Lapidarium At Špilberg Water Tanks
- The Capuchin Crypt
5 Must-Visit Brno Underground Attractions
Although there are dozens of underground places in Brno, these are my top recommendations. If you’re a fan of underground places and want to see more, I’ve listed some other options in the last section of this article, as well as a couple of great underground places for a night out.
Read on and discover some of the most unique things to do in Czech Republic.
I’ve partnered with South Moravia Tourism & Visit Czech Republic to bring you this travel guide. This article is based on the destinations and experiences I took part in. All views and opinions are my own.
Labyrinth Under the Vegetable Market
Located in the heart of the old town under the Vegetable Market (or the labyrint pod zelným trhem), you’ll find the Brno underground labyrinth.
Although parts of it are a little bit kitsch, with the mock-ups and interactive elements (which would be great for kids), it was still really interesting to see the myriad of interconnected passages, cellars, alcoves and caverns all making up the Labyrinth.
The cellars date back to the Medieval times. In the past, this was where the sellers from the markets above, used to help keep their produce. Perishable food like meats, cheese, fruit and vegetables were kept cool here as it’s a constant cool temperature all year round. The Czech Republic are big wine producers too, so barrels were also kept down here for the fermentation process.
There were numerous other uses for the network of chambers making up the Labyrinth. Brno residents used them as air raid shelters during the wars. It was also an alchemist’s laboratory, a place to hold criminals, and even a torture chamber!
With the introduction of refrigeration, the cellars became defunct, and they were also starting to cause subsidence of the buildings above which caused some of them to be filled in. They’ve been fully excavated and renovated and are now open for the public to visit.
The Labyrinth goes down 212 steps beneath the Vegetable Market, one of the oldest squares in the city. In total, there are more than 1,000 metres of passageways.
Keep your eyes peeled at the exit. You’ll see a ‘cheeky’ surprise which is based on a story of someone who was once held prisoner here. For women, it’s good luck to touch the sculpture, for men, not so much.
Location: Zelný trh 21,65878
Read Next: Best Things To Do In Brno, Czech Republic
Ossuary at St James’ Church
If you’re a fan of the macabre, then you will certainly want to visit the Brno Ossuary. This is the second largest Ossuary in Europe and houses the remnants of victims of epidemics such as cholera and plague, as well as unfortunate casualties from the Thirty Years’ War and the Swedish Siege.
It’s been estimated that across the three burial chambers, this is the final resting place of somewhere in the realm of 50 thousand people. The earliest remains in the Ossuary date back to the 13th century.
The Ossuary is located next to the church of St James. When the church was originally built, it was surrounded by a graveyard. Over the years, a combination of the city needing space to expand and the graveyard running out of capacity to bury people, a new method of burial was adopted.
After a person died, they were buried like normal. However, after about 10-12 years, when the body had decomposed, the remnants were exhumed. This made space for a recently deceased person to be buried in their place. The bone remains were then moved into an underground type of mass grave, called an Ossuary. It’s thought the Ossuary in Brno was established during the 17th century.
As the centuries went on, the Ossuary at St James’s became forgotten about. It wasn’t until building works started in 2001 that it was rediscovered. An unfortunate builder fell down a hole and into the Ossuary, stumbling across the mass underground graveyard.
Since its discovery, the Ossuary has been fully restored, and the bones carefully rearranged. The Ossuary is open to visitors during the day, with ambient lighting. A few times a year, they do allow visits in the evening by candlelight, which really is quite spectacular.
Location: Jakubské nám., 658 78
Read Also: After exploring underground, check out these Panoramic Viewpoints in Brno
10-Z Bunker
There’s no denying that the Czech Republic suffered from a turbulent past. Up until 1989 it was known as Czechoslovakia and was under the rule of the Soviet Union. Thankfully, those dark days are gone, however, there are still relics from this time. The 10-Z Bunker is one of them.
The Brno bunker is located under the hill leading up to Špilberk Castle. It was built during the Nazi occupation and was designed as a fallout shelter against nuclear attacks from American and Soviet bombardment. It was built to resist weapons of mass destruction with space for a total of 500 people who could shelter here for up to three days, thanks to its own water supply and electricity generator.
Amongst other uses, it also served as military headquarters (the name 10-Z was the codename for the bunker) and even for wine storage and wholesale!
You can visit the 10-Z Bunker either by yourself or as part of a self-guided walking tour (which I highly recommend). Each of the rooms has been restored and refitted with authentic furniture and artefacts of the era, everything you’ll hear is genuine so it does feel like stepping back in time. One of the best rooms is the old telephone switchboard.
The Bunker also has on-site accommodation. If you’re feeling really brave and want a novelty place to stay, you can even book a night and sleep in one of their themed rooms.
Also, something that often gets overlooked, is the secret exit door. Keep your eyes peeled if you’re walking in the park on the way up towards Špilberg Castle, and see if you can spot the camouflaged exit door, hidden in the trees.
Location: Husova, 602 00
Check Availability: Skip-the-Line 10-Z Bunker Tickets
Related Article: Complete One Day In Brno Guide
The Lapidarium At Špilberg Water Tanks
One of the lesser-visited underground Brno attractions is the water tanks under Špilberk Castle. The now redundant water tanks were the first of their kind in Brno and were reservoirs which made fresh water available to the citizens of Brno. The water feed worked on gravity, so are naturally on a high point in the city – on the grounds of the castle – the entrance to the Lapidarium is also a great spot for photos of Brno.
The tanks were created between 1870 and 1900 inside the hill surrounding the castle. They were abandoned in the 1920s and then fell into disrepair. After nearly 100 years of abandonment, restoration took place between 2017–2019, and then in 2020, the doors opened to the public.
The underground space of the water tanks was turned into a Lapidariam. If you’re not sure what one of those is, it’s a place where stone monuments or fragments of old buildings of archaeological and architectural interest are displayed. The Lapidarium here is referred to as ‘the temple of stone’, which sums it up quite nicely.
Inside, the space is vast and has a mystical feel to it, thanks to the ambient lighting. The Brno City Museum has relocated its collection of building remnants here, and this is where ancient archaeological finds from the city of Brno are kept. The collection features valuable sculptures, stone ornaments and gravestones from these former Brno buildings. The oldest piece in the collection is a gravestone dated 1399.
You can access the Lapidarium as part of a small group guided tour, there are two tours a day, one in the morning, and one in the afternoon. You can book a ticket at the Špilberk Castle ticket office.
Location: Špilberk 210/1
The Capuchin Crypt
The Capuchin Church of the Finding of the Holy Cross is where you’ll find this fascinating Brno underground point of interest. This church and monastery dates from the early Baroque period and houses the bodies of the Capuchin brothers and the benefactors of the Order. What’s special about this crypt is that the bodies have been mummified by air.
Like with the Ossuary, for some, this might be too macabre, the mummies are uncovered and on show. There is a mix of wooden and stone tombs with the remains on display as well as a whole floor of a section with the bodies carefully laid out.
The crypt was established in 1656 and was used until 1784 as a burial chamber. Inside the crypt, there are over 150 Capuchins and about 50 benefactors resting here.
Unlike the mummification process in places like Egypt, where they used embalming methods, here the bodies have been preserved by air. The ventilation system of the crypt caused the bodies to be mummified naturally. To this day, you can still clearly see all their features, including hair and clothing, however, the mummification process has turned the skin black.
Although you might think it’s a fairly modern idea to open the crypt up to visitors, people have actually been coming here for over 140 years. Inside, because this is a place of rest and worship, you need to remain silent. At the entrance, you’re given an information book that gives explanations of what you can see in each room. There are also information boards (with English) explaining different artefacts.
Location: Kapucínské náměstí, 5/303, 60200
Other Brno Underground Tour Options
I’ve gone into detail on my favourite underground places in Brno, however, there are even more places like this to visit in the city if you have time.
The Mint Masters Cellar
Also known as mincmistrovský sklep, is an underground museum documenting the history of minting in Brno. You’ll find old coins, ancient documents showing how money was recorded, and a Medieval minting press. It’s located just off Dominican Square.
Location: Dominikánské nám. 196/1, 602 00
Underground Reservoirs in Žlutý Kopec
Like the water tanks at Špilberk Castle, these used to supply the city with water. They were in use from the end of the 19th to the early 20th centuries. What’s special here is that the structure is made entirely from bricks and was built without the need for steel, wood or reinforced concrete. The use of various types of arch is what gives them their strength giving the appearance of an underground labyrinth.
Location: Tvrdého, Brno
Check out the official TIC Brno Underground website for more information as well as official opening times and discounted tickets. Alternatively, the tourist information centre at the Old Town Hall will be able to give you full details on opening hours.
Moravian Karsts
If you have several days in Brni, then it’s worth getting out of the city. One of the top underground places to visit near Brno is the Moravian Karst. Plan a whole day of adventure and explore the ancient underground world – a bit of advice, I don’t recommend this one if you’re travelling with claustrophobia.
Brno Underground Food and Drink
Since this article is dedicated to underground places in Brno, here are two suggestions for places to go for food and drinks, which are located under the city.
Středověká Krčmaf
The name actually translates to Medieval Tavern and is a great place to grab a beer or traditional Czech food, in the confines of a beer cellar. It’s located in the centre, just off Liberty Square.
Location: Středověká krčma, nám. Svobody 86/17, 602 00
Slast
The unassuming facade of Slast could be easily missed, you’d be forgiven for walking straight past it. However, behind the door, and located in one of the underground labyrinths a stone’s throw from the Vegetable Market you’ll find this fantastic cocktail bar.
The labyrinth-like cellars go off in all directions and are filled with trendy lighting, and quirky artwork. The word Slast in Czech translates to pleasure, which sums this place up nicely.
Location: Zelný trh 10, Brno
Are You Ready To Experience Underground Brno?
So how’s your underground Brno itinerary looking and which ones are you going to visit? All of the underground places I’ve mentioned in this article are worthy of a visit, especially if you’re a fan of slightly offbeat places.
Planning a trip to Brno? Then why not take a look at these other useful guides to get the best out of the city.