en
Search
How did you become a tour guide in the first place? And in so many languages?
I got into the profession of a tour guide a little bit because of my affection for Italy. After high school I studied tourism in Opava. It was there that I became even more interested in foreign languages as we were intensively learning 3 languages - English, German and Russian. I and some of my classmates added Italian. In Italy, I improved my language skills so much that I then spent a semester studying Slavic Philology with the Italians and Italian. And a new language was added - Polish. Olomouc was not a big tourist destination back then, in the late 90s... But I realised that there were a lot of things, as I would say, "alla italiana" - elements of architecture, the layout of the city centre, etc. I became even more interested in the architecture, noticing various little details... Until then, I had actually taken the job of a tour guide as a hobby. Now it's been more than 20 years since I've been doing it professionally.
English, German, Russian, Italian, Polish, Spanish... Is there a language that is closest to your heart?
I can't say that any language is my favourite, they are all kind of my "children". For example, I'm currently brushing up on my French again, so I'm having such a French period right now. But during the "covid hiatus" I was learning Slovenian, so even before last year I would have told you that my favourite language is Slovenian. Every language is (I don't want to say such a cliché, but it's true) interesting in some way. It's just that every language has its own peculiarities - and that's always a challenge for me.
Have you ever found it difficult to speak so many languages?
It often happens that I just drop a word in Czech. Or during the interpretation I replace a word with a word in a completely different language without noticing. When I had one of my first tours at St. Moritz Church - I was giving a talk about the unique organ, the recent repair of its pipes - it happened that in Russian I used the wrong accent, not the wrong word. At that moment the word took on a completely different meaning, and the whole interpretation basically collapsed. It was the word "organ", which is indeed an organ in Russian, but also a certain unnamed part of the male body - here it is only the accent that matters...
What are your TOP places in the Olomouc Region - what would you recommend visiting personally? Let's say three places in Haná, three places in Jeseníky.
In Haná it is of course Olomouc, because I am an Olomouc guide. It's number one not only in the region, but on a Central European level because of its history and Baroque monuments. Nowadays, it seems to me that it is gaining its formerly lost position as the capital of Moravia. The city itself has a very pleasant atmosphere. However, everyone who comes to Olomouc knows that it is not only the sights that are here. Lately they have been going to restaurants, bars or cafes. Olomouc is becoming a new gastronomic destination, according to the reactions of my tourists.
From Olomouc you can take a lot of trips around the region. Going south, I would definitely recommend Tovačov. It is simply charming, and the architectural elements in the castle are the first examples of the early Renaissance in our territory.
Of the castles and ruins, Helfštýn is by far the most impressive for me. It is a matter of my heart, as I am from Přerov. My mother worked at the Comenius Museum and right in the castle grounds, in the second courtyard, was their company cottage where we used to go on holidays as children. So I still remember Helfštýn as a ruin. We used to climb its walls on our own for the views (although of course it was forbidden and dangerous). And that's why, even though it may be controversial for some, I'm downright excited about the latest reconstruction of Helfštýn - the ruins have become a castle again.
And in Jeseníky? I am very close to them too.
If I have to recommend a monument, it is definitely the Jánský vrch castle in Javorník. I think it is beautiful, but it seems to me that it is a bit discriminated, because it is completely at the "end of the world", hidden behind the mountains. It's worth taking all the tours. As for the chateau furnishings, the original kitchen, the gas lighting - these are simply pearls... I also recommend the surroundings of Javorník - Račí údolí with the Tančírna etc.
I will be more personal - my love is Rejvíz. Firstly, for family reasons, and secondly, I love nature. It is the highest settlement in Silesia, where you can still see examples of original Sudeten architecture. It is simply a place where nature and architecture are beautiful.
And the third place I would personally recommend is the Forest Bar in Lipová. In the beginning, when there was only one (there are more now), it was a phenomenon. For me it is an example that there are honest people after all and the principle of service without service can work. Whenever I'm in the area, I always visit the Forest Bar.
Can you imagine not being a guide?
My colleague once told me that you can't be a guide all your life, you burn out easily. I've tried something else lately - I really like working with people, so my second job is also very contact-oriented. But I can't imagine doing anything else. Maybe because my lifelong passion is languages. When I have tourists from different countries taking turns , it's a challenge, it's challenging but also enjoyable. On top of that, I love walking. So this combination is the perfect outdoor job for me.
The guide's message for "non-Olomouc" tourists...
The Olomouc astronomical clock strikes regularly, but only at noon. Get ready for it.
Every second group of tourists waits at the astronomical clock at other hours...and waits....and waits....
