Palác Zdar – Right after the start you’ll pass the curved façade of Palác Zdar. Completed in 2009, the building pays tribute to the expressionist architecture of Erich Mendelsohn and stands on the site of a courthouse demolished in the 1970s.
Interhotel Bohemia – Towering over the square is the “Bohemka” – a 1960s hotel whose architects took inspiration from New York’s Lever House. It is still one of the landmarks of the city centre.
Leaning tower of the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary – Look up above the rooftops: the 65-metre tower leans a full 2 metres off vertical. The tilt was caused by bombs that fell nearby in April 1945, and it ranks among the most leaning towers in Europe.
Photo: CzechTourism
Business Academy – This Art Nouveau building by architect Josef Zasche was built in the early 20th century as a joint project of a savings bank and a business academy. The school is still here today. You’ll pass it again at km 20.
Municipal Baths – The historic baths with their little tower opened in 1908, and locals still swim in the pool today. You’ll run past them again at km 16.
Photo: CzechTourism
Spolchemie New Administrative Building – Built in 1929–1930, this ten-storey brick building was the tallest in Czechoslovakia when it was completed and is often called the first Czech skyscraper. A paternoster lift still runs inside. You’ll see it again at km 15–17.
Photo: CzechTourism
St. Joseph’s Church – This towerless church was built in 1905–1906 for the workers’ district of Nové Předlice – the tower was never built to save money. You’ll run along Hrbovická again at km 8 and km 12.
Foto: Denik.cz
D8 Motorway Bridge – The turnaround takes you under the massive D8 motorway bridge, the summer venue of the Under the Bridge hip-hop festival. The hills around Hrbovice and Předlice witnessed the Hussite Battle of Ústí in 1426 – 600 years ago this year.
SPOLCHEMIE Chemical Works – A course highlight: you’ll run right through the grounds of the chemical works, normally closed to the public. Spolchemie has been operating since 1856 and is one of the longest-running chemical plants in the world.
Labe Department Store – Its wavy aluminium façade is meant to evoke the waves of the Elbe (Labe in Czech). Completed in 1974 and designed by architect Růžena Žertová, the department store is an icon of 1970s architecture.
