Great Houses & Gardens of Moravia

Moravia in the Czech Republic is still a largely undiscovered part of Central Europe, and yet it abounds in wonderful buildings, rich in historical associations and scenic beauty. For a long part of the mighty Habsburg Empire, Moravia’s proximity to the heart of the monarchy in Vienna meant it became a favourite area for the wealthy aristocracy to build their magnificent summer palaces and the 18th and 19th centuries saw a huge building boom after the Ottoman defeat at Vienna in 1683.  However, the Renaissance was also a period of rich cultural activity, resulting in some of the finest 16th century buildings of Central Europe. The great Mies van der Rohe, one of the pioneers of modernist architecture, has also contributed to the diverse architectural treasures of the region. His iconic Vila Tugendhat in Brno was completed in 1930 and remains an exemplar of minimalist chic. This new Art Pursuits Abroad tour encompasses great houses of all periods, some with important gardens or designed landscapes and often set in countryside of great natural beauty, offering a fascinating introduction to this overlooked corner of the world.