A Hidden World Beneath the Streets
Stretching beneath the Zelny trh (Cabbage Market) and surrounding streets, the Brno Underground is an extensive network of cellars, corridors, and passages that date back to the Middle Ages. Originally dug as storage cellars for merchants, wine makers, and brewers, the tunnels eventually grew into a sprawling subterranean maze spanning several levels and reaching depths of up to eight metres below the surface. Rediscovered and painstakingly restored, the underground opened to the public in 2011 and has since become one of Brno's most popular attractions.
Medieval Commerce and Storage
The cellars played a vital role in Brno's commercial life for centuries, providing cool, stable temperatures ideal for storing perishable goods, barrels of wine, and casks of beer. During times of conflict, the tunnels also served as emergency shelters and escape routes for the city's inhabitants. Interactive exhibits placed throughout the tour route bring this history to life, showing how the underground spaces were used for trade, craft production, and even as an ossuary where bones from overcrowded cemeteries were carefully arranged.
The Guided Tour Experience
Visitors explore the Brno Underground on a guided tour lasting approximately 60 minutes, winding through atmospherically lit corridors, vaulted chambers, and narrow passageways. The route covers roughly one kilometre of tunnels and includes multimedia displays, period artefacts, and dramatic lighting effects that bring the subterranean world vividly to life. The cool underground temperature hovers around 11 degrees Celsius year-round, making the tunnels a refreshing escape on hot summer days and a cosy retreat in winter.
Brno's Growing Cultural Scene
A visit to the underground pairs naturally with exploring Brno's vibrant above-ground attractions, including the Spilberk Castle, the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, and the city's thriving cafe and bar culture. Brno has emerged as one of Central Europe's most exciting yet under-the-radar destinations, offering world-class architecture from the functionalist Villa Tugendhat to cutting-edge contemporary galleries. The underground serves as a compelling introduction to the layered history of a city that rewards curious travellers willing to look beyond Prague.
