You can see the basilica from Olomouc, on a hill around 8km's (5 miles) away. Took the tram to the train station, and then connected with a bus to the village of Svaty Kopecek. A one way tram and bus ride normally costs 14 korunas (70 cents), but our local transportation is included with our Olomouc Region Card.
The Pilgrimage
Church
I’m still experimenting with uploading videos to the blog,
and have realized that the quality of the ones I’ve put up the last couple of
days isn’t what it should be. So when we get a better and more consistant
internet connection I’ll try some different applications. Until then, you’re
stuck with photos! Unless you want to “like” us on facebook, because the video
I’ve put on our facebook page is perfect! And kind of funny too, so please join
us at www.facebook.com/travelwithkevinandruth
Ruth and Kevin at the entrance.
View from the hill.
There is a beautiful view of the city of Olomouc from Holy Hill, however it was such a
hot hazy day that there was no point in getting a photo. We did go for a walk
around the top and there was a nice view facing another direction though. Then
we went for a 2 km walk through the forest to get to Fort Radikov
The old fort has lots of tunnels. This one has been restored.
This one hasn't been!
Some you can still enter, but you have to be careful!
It would have taken a lot of man hours to build these walls!
The fort was one of a series of designed protection areas against
Prussia in the 1800’s but as
relationships got better, Fort
Radikov
Afterwards we wandered back to the village and found a place
for an ice cream. Three and a half year old Frantisek sure enjoyed his!
Our couchsurfing host Mirek, his son Frantisek, and Ruth. Mirek's wife Hanka has gone to school in Brno for the week.
Ruth with her glass of wine!
It was nice to sit and relax so we had a couple of nice cold
beers and Ruth had a glass of wine. By this time, a short rainstorm had gone
through and the temperature cooled off a bit. We decided to walk a bit more
back towards the city of Olomouc
and then caught our bus and tram back to the flat.
Another view of Holy Hill.
Today, we think we’re going to try and go to the antique car
museum and then an area park that we haven’t seen yet. Then, it’s another
travel day for us as we head to the foothills of the Bezkydy Mountains
Speaking of antique cars, how about these two classics we
saw on the walk this afternoon. The white one is an old German car, about 40
years old. The body was made of plastic and it was manufactured so that the
poorer people of communist Czechoslavakia could afford a car. There are still a
few of them around. The orange one is an older Skoda.
...and you realise that, in Slovenian at least, the expression "to je škoda", is sort of like saying, "what a pity" or "that's a shame", depending on the voice inflection. (škoda sort of means, 'damage')
ReplyDeleteWe say it whenever we see a Škoda on the road.
I guess they must make OK vehicles, since we see a number of them around these parts.
They're now owned by VW so maybe that's why.
I had only ever seen one in Canada a few years back, and it was pitiful.
Better off with a Lada.
You know why they have a rear window defroster, don't you? It's to keep your hands warm will you are pushing it! All puns aside, I guess they must have been a decent car for the working class considering how many were made.
DeleteOh and, nice pics btw.
ReplyDeleteThe white car might be a Trabant. Two stroke, very smoky engine.
ReplyDeleteI think you are probably right on that, when I googled Trabant, it sure looks like the same thing. Thanks, for that Peter.
DeleteIt must be hot everywhere these days. I am always so impressed with the public transportation in the areas you visit. Being from the midwest they just don't have systems like that. Some bus systems but I know the one in our hometown is not very efficient. My son is now working for a company that puts the GPS on buses and trains systems all over the world. He does ride the bus in CR but says they just don't get how do it and could learn much from Europe.
ReplyDeleteWe really think that the North American culture needs to work on it's bus and train infrastructure. We are way behind on that aspect. If they made things cheaper and more access to more areas then maybe people would use it before hopping into their cars. We find more people using public transportation than using their cars here or they are using their bikes here!
DeleteThat is an amazing church. A glass of wine after all that sightseeing is definitely in order:)
ReplyDeleteIt seems most of the churches here are amazing. We go in some of them and our jaw just drops, we are totally speachless! Definitely had a glass of wine on returning.
DeletePilgrimage Church...WOW, WOW, WOW!
ReplyDeleteKevin had made a video of the inside but unfortunately it didn't seem to want to upload. It was beautiful inside to say the least.
Delete