Šumperk
Šumperk is a town of 25,000 inhabitants. The infamous inquisition trials took place here and the town blossomed in the 19th century. Thanks to its growing textile industry, the city earned itself the flattering moniker of “Little Vienna“. Šumperk is rightly called “The Living Gate to the Jeseníky Mountains“. The town’s main landmarks include the Annunciation of Virgin Mary Monastery Church, Geschader House with its Witch Trials Exhibition, St. John Baptist Church, Saint Barbara’s Church, and former Zierotin Castle.
The town is also proud of its theatre house together with a professional theatrical ensemble. Šumperk hosts many significant events, such as International Folklore Festival, ŠumpeRUN – a running race through the historical town centre –, Klasika Viva festival, Celebration of the town of Šumperk, and world-famous blues festival Blues Alive.
Two long-distance cycling routes – The Moravian Trail and the Witch’s Cycling Trail – will lead you to a town in the scenic Desná river valley. You can also take a trip through one of the newly marked cycling trails around town called YEScyklo.
You can actively spend your leisure time in Šumperk and its surroundings. Variety of sports facilities include newly reconstructed Aquacentre Šumperk, multipurpose sports compound Benátky with a professional skate park and a pump track, and Tulinka Single Trails in the suburban forest. You can take one of the marked tourist routes leading to the Háj observation tower or via the Angel Trails to the popular “Town Rocks” outlook. You can also engage in sports at the local Tyrš Stadium, or you can visit an outdoor swimming pool with a water slide, an indoor hall with tennis courts, and a disc golf course at Kotel.
Vaasa and Šumperk started their partnership in 1984 when they became sister cities and, recently, further possibilities for cooperation between Vaasa and Šumperk have been sought after, primarily within the cultural and sport sector.
