Brno Underground Attractions: What to Know Before You Go

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When I started planning my weekend trip to Brno, I had no idea just how much of the city exists below the surface. From centuries-old ossuaries to Cold War bunkers and surreal water tanks, Brno’s underground attractions were some of the most unexpected highlights of my visit.

I managed to visit four different underground sites in just one weekend and I’m already planning to go back and see the rest. Some are historical, some are interactive, and others are just plain strange (in the best way).

In this guide, I’ll walk you through Brno’s most fascinating underground attractions, share tips for visiting, and help you figure out which ones are right for your trip.

Table of Contents

1. Ossuary at St. James Church

A tightly packed wall of human skulls and bones arranged in an artistic pattern, part of an ossuary, creating a solemn and chilling visual texture. — Brno Ossuary

A cylindrical pillar entirely constructed from human skulls and bones stands in a dimly lit brick-vaulted chamber of the Brno Ossuary. Visitors observe the macabre yet structured arrangement, which reflects historical practices of honoring the dead in a confined sacred space. — Brno Ossuary

This ossuary underneath St. James Church is one of the most eerie underground spaces in Brno. It’s the second largest ossuary in Europe (after the Paris catacombs), but what makes it truly unique is that it was forgotten for centuries and only rediscovered in 2001.

It was part of a churchyard burial system dating back to the 13th century. As graves filled up, bones were moved into the ossuary to make space for new burials. At its peak, it held the remains of around 50,000 people.

Today, you only see about 15% of those bones, but it still feels extensive. They’re neatly stacked, almost artfully arranged, creating a surprisingly peaceful atmosphere. Don’t miss the photo at the entrance showing what the site looked like when it was first uncovered.

Tip: Go early or book in advance, when we went on a Saturday afternoon, it was sold out. The next morning, we walked in with no problem.

2. Labyrinth Under the Cabbage Market

A historical wine cellar with a brick-vaulted ceiling, wooden barrels stacked on the right, and a table with old winemaking tools and glassware on the left. — One room of the Brno underground labyrinth

A rustic alchemy or apothecary room with drying herbs, red lighting, and antique laboratory equipment, as a man gives a guided tour in a vaulted brick chamber. — One room of the Brno underground labyrinth

Right beneath Brno’s Cabbage Market lies a network of historical cellars that once stored food, wine, and beer. Today, part of this underground space has been turned into one of the city’s most engaging tours: the Labyrinth under Zelný trh.

The underground tour is only in Czech (except one English tour every Saturday), but there’s a free English audio guide app, which you’ll need to download beforehand, there’s no signal underground. We did the Czech tour but our guide still added a few English comments.

The displays, though mostly replicas, are really well done, from a medieval tavern to an alchemist’s lab (which, historically, wouldn’t have been underground, but the setup still fits the vibe). It gives a fun and informative look at daily life in historic Brno.

The tour is meant to last one hour, but ours went 15 minutes over because the guide was clearly loving it, so don’t plan anything right after.

3. Capuchin Crypt

A haunting crypt with several mummified bodies laid out on a bed of sand under an arched alcove, featuring a wooden cross and Czech inscriptions on the back wall. — The monks resting in the Crypta

Glass-topped coffins display well-preserved mummies beneath a simple wooden cross on a white wall, with name plaques for Františka Antonie Grimma, Marie Anna Grimmová, and Mořic Grimm. — The monks resting in the Crypta

The Capuchin Crypt may be small, but it’s one of the most powerful underground sites in Brno. Beneath the Capuchin Monastery, you’ll find the naturally mummified bodies of monks, some resting in open coffins, others lying directly on the floor.

What struck me most was the story behind it. The Capuchins, following their vow of poverty, only used coffins for the funeral service. Afterward, the bodies were placed on the ground, their heads resting on simple stones and the coffin was reused for the next burial.

Good to know: You have to pay an additional small fee if you want to take pictures.

4. 10-Z Bunker

A narrow, dimly lit corridor with vaulted brick ceilings, exposed piping, and a vintage gas mask hanging on the wall, likely part of a World War II-era underground bunker. — You can walk the halls of a real Bunker 10-z

A repurposed bomb shelter with red brick walls and a vaulted ceiling, now transformed into a cozy underground café with checkered tablecloths and cushions; a banner reads “Luftschutzraum” and “Protiletacký úkryt.” — You can walk the halls of a real Bunker 10-z

Tucked beneath Špilberk Hill, 10-Z Bunker was originally built as an air-raid shelter during World War II, later briefly used as a wholesale wine store, and then converted into a nuclear fallout shelter by the Communist regime.

You can explore it on your own with a map from the entrance or book a guided tour in advance. Inside, you’ll see technical rooms, filtration systems, and even doors from a former Brno prison, etched with final messages from prisoners sentenced to death.

I went without a guide, and while the videos add some context, the English subtitles are minimal. If you don’t speak Czech, it’s worth doing a bit of reading beforehand.

For those who really want to commit, you can even spend the night here as part of the bunker got turned into a hostel. Just don’t expect too much comfort… it’s still a bunker, after all.

5. Water Tanks at Žlutý kopec

Hidden beneath a grassy park these three massive underground tanks, built in 1874, 1894, and 1917, were once part of Brno’s water system. They were used until 1997 and only recently opened to the public in 2024 after being saved from demolition and declared a heritage site.

The brick and concrete chambers feel like something out of a sci-fi movie or ancient civilization and visitors often describe them that way. You can explore at your own pace.

The atmosphere is quiet, moody, and totally different from Brno’s other underground sites. It’s not spooky like the others, just incredibly atmospheric.

6. Cellar under the New Town Hall

Brno’s underground isn’t just about bones and bunkers, there’s also some creativity and storytelling below the surface. The Cellar under the New Town Hall offers a more interactive and playful experience, blending history with virtual reality and theatrical narration.

The exhibit is called “Fiery Horse and Dragon”, and instead of traditional museum displays, it feels more like a walk-through story. You’ll jump between different time periods, guided by imaginative visuals and sound design. It supposed to bring Brno’s folklore to life.

If you’re traveling with kids or just want a break from the darker underground stops, this might be fun.

7. Špilberk Castle Underground

You’ll probably visit Špilberk Castle for the views anyway, it’s one of the top attractions in Brno. But don’t miss what’s beneath it. The underground features old military fortifications and a lapidarium in former water reservoirs, offering a unique perspective on the site.

While not as eerie as the ossuary or as atmospheric as the water tanks, this spot offers a glimpse into Brno’s military and architectural history.

Pair it with a walk around the park and a stop at the hilltop café, and you’ve got a well-rounded morning when you spend a day in Brno, above and below ground.

8. Atomic Bomb Shelter under Petrov Hill

Brno’s Atomic Bomb Shelter beneath Petrov Hill offers a stark reminder of Cold War anxieties. This massive underground complex includes nearly a kilometre of tunnels, originally designed to shelter up to 3,000 people for four days in the event of a nuclear attack.

It’s not open every day, you can only visit on Saturdays, and only on a guided tour in Czech. So unless your visit lines up or you speak the language, this one might be tricky to include. But you might still find it interesting just to see without the explanations.

Tips for Visiting Brno’s Underground

Planning ahead makes exploring Brno’s underground attractions a lot smoother. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Check opening times and tour schedules: Not all sites are open daily, and some (like the Labyrinth) can only be visited on a scheduled guided tour. Check ahead so you don’t miss out.
Book in advance when possible: Popular spots like the Ossuary often sell out, especially when you visit Brno on a weekend. Reserve online or go early in the day.
Ask about combo discounts: It’s not widely advertised, but you can save money if you visit multiple underground sites. Just ask at the entrance about combo tickets.
Bring headphones for the Labyrinth: You’ll need to download the English audio guide before heading underground (there’s WiFi at the entrance), and headphones make it much easier to follow along.
Dress appropriately: Underground spaces can be cool and damp year-round. Comfortable shoes and a sweater or jacket are a good idea.
Expect limited English signage: Some sites don’t have much information in English. A bit of research in advance goes a long way.

Which Underground Site Is Right for You?

If you’re short on time or just want to pick a few highlights, here are my favorites and a few tips to help you choose, but of course, if you have more time in Brno, you can all of them!

If you’re only visiting one site, go for the Ossuary. It’s powerful, atmospheric, and unlike anything else in Brno.
If you want something more in depth, the Labyrinth under the Cabbage Market is a fun, immersive experience, just be ready for a Czech-only tour.
For something completely different, the Water Tanks at Žlutý kopec feel like walking through an underground cathedral.
Interested in Cold War history? Head to the 10-Z Bunker or time your visit to catch the Atomic Bomb Shelter tour on a Saturday.

Final Thoughts: Underground Places in Brno

Walking through centuries-old cellars, crypts, and Cold War bunkers hidden beneath Brno is an incredible experience. These underground spots aren’t just interesting, they show you a side of the city you wouldn’t expect from above the ground.

Whether you’re drawn to eerie places, curious stories, or just want to explore something different, Brno’s underground adds depth (literally) to your visit. And once you’ve seen what’s down there, you’ll never look at the city the same way again.

Not sure how to fit it all in? Check out my post on how to see the best of Brno in one day, I’ve mapped it all out for you.

Pin it for later:

A travel graphic featuring two underground scenes from Brno, Czech Republic. The top image shows a historic wine cellar with stacked wooden barrels, a table of glassware, and hanging pipettes under a brick-arched ceiling. The bottom image displays a narrow passage lined floor to ceiling with human bones and skulls, with a tall, modern sculpture in the center. Bold text reads “Underground in Brno, Czech Republic.” — How to Explore the Underground in Brno