MIKULOV CASTLE (ZÁMEK) AND REGIONAL MUSEUM

It's not hard to imagine why the first Slavic tribes to settle in what is now the Czech Republic decided to build a fort on this beautiful rocky outcrop. From here, you can dominate the plain and control the region. But of course, nothing remains of this first stronghold today. The medieval walls that can still be seen today date from the ^13th century, when the fort was first enlarged. Two ancient towers stand out. As for the present-day Baroque castle, it was built in 1719 by the Dietrichstein family on part of the medieval citadel (which had already been remodeled as a Renaissance castle). Above all, the palace houses a folklore and wine exhibition and... a curiosity: the enormous ^17th-century barrel, with a capacity of 1,010 hectolitres, the largest in this part of Europe and much larger than the tuns we're used to seeing in the cellars. Another highlight of the visit: the library, converted after the fire of 1729, now houses over 11,000 priceless volumes. The terraced gardens (free admission) offer beautiful views over the city. A visit to the Pavlov Archaeopark, which brings to life the Mikulov lands in the days of the mammoth hunters, is also worthwhile: exhibition of archaeological finds, fossils and burials (same opening hours as the castle, 150 Kc).