Jihlava

This small medieval city became known for its silver production. After a late medieval boom a fire and the Thirty Years War dealt it setbacks, but enough of its past has survived to help attract visitors today. 

The unusual stone Gothic church Kostel svatého Jakuba Většího is full of art objects and decoration, including a 7.5 metre Baroque altar painting. 

Kostel Nanebevzetí Panny Marie is an example of a medieval Minorite monastery church given a full Baroque makeover, except for medieval vault paintings that have been preserved and partly restored. Nearby is the medieval town gate Brána Matky Boží. Much of the walls that provided succour during the Hussite wars remain. 

Tantalising fragments of the Renaissance facade of the house at Znojemská 2 preserve not just religious images, but a priceless historical record of the arrival of a Turkish delegation on horseback in 1609.