Located in the southeast region of the Czech Republic, the city of Brno is renowned for its collection of modernist architecture. There’s plenty of old, as well, including the 13^th-century Špilberk Castle presiding over the city’s skyline. The enormous baroque fortress, named a national heritage monument, is home to the Brno City Museum and some of the grimmest dungeons within Europe. There’s even a second castle: Veveří Castle, taken over from 1943–1945 by German forces. One of the oldest castles in the country, it had its origins as a modest hunting lodge. Other iconic city sites include Villa Tugendhat, designed by German architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Restored in 1929, it’s widely regarded as one of the most important examples of modern architecture in all of Europe.

Go underground and explore the darker side of the city at the Capuchin Crypt for Capuchin friars, founded in the mid-17th century and located in the historic district beneath the Capuchin Monastery. Beneath the Vegetable Market — also in city center — adventurous visitors can explore the network of subterranean cellars and corridors that lies beneath one of the city’s most historic city squares. Some date to the Middle Ages, while others can be traced to the Baroque era, and were used to age wine and to store food and beer. Much higher above ground, Brno Observatory in city center is topped with an electronic viewing tower, and also offers visitors out-of-this-world experiences in the science-centric Exploratorium and in the astronomical observatory. The city is also the location of the annual JazzFest Brno, wrapping up this year with Steve Gadd on April 23 at the Sono Centrum, and the Chick Corea Trio at the Boby Centrum on May 4.