Film Pod parou (2025) – Mikulov Film Locations

Film Pod parou (2025) – Mikulov as the Film Set of the Czech Remake of the Oscar-Winning Film

The film Pod parou (2025) brought cinematic atmosphere to Mikulov and attracted hundreds of local residents as extras. This Czech remake of the Oscar-winning Danish film "Another Round" directed by Rudolf Biermann was entirely shot in Mikulov and its surroundings. Join us on a tour of all the key filming locations you can visit during your stay at our guesthouse.

About the Film Pod parou – A Story of Four Teachers and an Alcohol Experiment

Pod parou is a Czech-Slovak adaptation of the Danish Oscar-winning film "Another Round" from 2020. Director Rudolf Biermann together with screenwriter Roman Olekšák transferred the story from Danish Copenhagen to the picturesque setting of South Moravia, specifically to Mikulov.

The plot follows four high school teachers starring Hana Vagnerová, Zuzana Bydžovská, Judit Pecháček, and Alžběta Ferencová. The main character Martina, a history teacher, is going through a crisis period in her relationship with her husband. Together with three colleagues, she decides to verify the theory of Norwegian psychiatrist Finn Skårderud, who claimed that humans lack half a percent of alcohol for ideal functioning.

The four teachers embark on an experiment during which they maintain a constant level of 0.5% alcohol in their blood to find out if mild intoxication improves their work performance and personal life. The experiment gradually intensifies and leads to unexpected consequences.

Why Was Mikulov Chosen as a Filming Location?

Director Rudolf Biermann and his team decided to shoot the film exclusively in Mikulov and its immediate surroundings. There were several reasons for choosing this picturesque town:

• ✓ Authentic environment – Mikulov offers a vibrant Czech-Slovak community where the coexistence of both nationalities feels natural (the film is a Czech-Slovak co-production)
• ✓ Diversity of locations – from the historic square through wine-making environments to natural scenery by the Nové Mlýny reservoirs
• ✓ Wine culture – the theme of alcohol and wine is naturally rooted in Mikulov, which adds authenticity to the story
• ✓ Picturesque architecture – baroque center, castle, St. Wenceslas Church and Holy Hill create the perfect film backdrop
• ✓ Compactness – all necessary locations are within walking distance, which facilitated filming

The film crew spent several weeks filming in Mikulov and the surrounding area, and approximately 400 local residents participated in supporting roles, getting to try their hand at working in front of the camera.

Holy Hill and the Way of the Cross – An Iconic Film Location

One of the most photogenic locations in the film is the Holy Hill (Svatý kopeček) with the Way of the Cross leading to the Dietrichstein tomb. This hill at an altitude of 363 meters rises above the historic center of Mikulov and offers panoramic views of the entire town, Pálava Hills, and the Nové Mlýny reservoirs.

In the film Pod parou, the Way of the Cross serves as a place for the main characters' contemplation, romantic scenes, and confrontational dialogues. The baroque chapels on both sides of the path, old trees, and atmospheric ascent up the hill create a unique backdrop full of symbolism.

Visit for film fans: The climb up Holy Hill takes approximately 20-30 minutes. The path leads along stone steps lined with chapels of the Way of the Cross (14 stations in total). From the top, a breathtaking view opens up, which you will also see in the film.

Historic Town Square in Mikulov – Heart of the Town and Film

The square in Mikulov is a central film location where scenes of the teachers' daily lives take place. This baroque architectural ensemble with Mikulov Castle and the Marian column is one of the most beautiful landmarks of South Moravia.

What you'll see on the square:

• ✓ Mikulov Castle – the town's dominant feature with a white façade, representing the high school where the teachers work in the film
• ✓ Marian Column – baroque plague column from the 18th century in the center of the square
• ✓ Burgher houses – colorfully painted historic houses with arcades and sgraffito
• ✓ Town Hall – building with a tower and clock, an important landmark
• ✓ St. Wenceslas Church – late Gothic church with a Renaissance tower

The square serves as the natural center of events – this is where characters meet, have conversations in cafés, and resolve plot complications. The film crew also shot night scenes when the square is romantically lit by historic lamps.

Sonberk Winery – The Wine Heart of the Film

A film about alcohol couldn't leave out the wine-making environment, which is why filming also took place at the well-known Sonberk Winery, located on the slopes of Pálava near Mikulov. This modern winery architecture combined with vineyards created an impressive backdrop for tasting scenes and wine parties.

Sonberk Winery is renowned for its approachable wines, modern winery facilities, and a restaurant with views over the vineyards. In the film, it represents the place where teachers gather for informal meetings and where the alcohol experiment gradually intensifies.

Visit for tourists: Sonberk Winery is open to the public. You can visit the wine cellar, taste wines, and reserve a table at the restaurant. We also recommend a walk through the vineyards with views of the Nové Mlýny reservoirs.

Mariánský mlýn Quarry – Natural Film Scenery

The former Mariánský mlýn quarry is another key location in the film Pod parou. This flooded quarry with turquoise-blue water is located south of Mikulov at the foot of Pálava and is a popular spot for swimming, diving, and picnics.

In the film, the quarry serves as a place of escape and relaxation for the main characters. Scenes by the water symbolize the desire for freedom and escape from everyday worries. The contrast between the calm water surface and the internal tension of the characters creates powerful emotional images.

Interesting facts about the quarry: Mariánský mlýn is a remnant of limestone mining that took place until the 1970s. Today the quarry is a protected geological area and a popular recreational spot. The water depth reaches up to 12 meters.

Tip for visitors: You can reach the quarry on foot from Mikulov (about 30 minutes walk) or by bike. In summer months, swimming is possible here, but be careful – the water is very cold even in summer.

O'Hara Bar – Night Scenes and Social Life

For filming evening and night scenes of the main characters' social life, O'Hara bar in the center of Mikulov was selected. This popular establishment with Irish theming serves as the place where teachers meet after work, discuss their experiment, and gradually lose control of the situation.

O'Hara bar represents in the film a typical environment for evening relaxation – atmospheric lighting, lively conversations, and alcohol as a catalyst for social interactions. The bar's interior with wooden elements and a cozy atmosphere perfectly captures scenes of friendship and confrontations.

For film lovers: If you visit Mikulov, you can experience O'Hara bar for yourself. It's located in the town center, near the square.

Portz Insel Pavilion – Romantic Setting

Portz Insel Pavilion is a classicist building from the 19th century located on an islet in the middle of Mlýnský pond south of Mikulov. This romantic pavilion surrounded by water and greenery served as a backdrop for intimate and emotional film scenes.

Around the pavilion, scenes of walks, conversations, and reflections on the experiment were filmed. The pavilion environment symbolizes isolation and separation from the ordinary world, which fits with the film's theme of seeking escape from routine.

Visit: You can reach Portz Insel Pavilion via the Mlýnský pond dam. The surroundings are beautiful especially in spring and summer months when vegetation blooms and birds nest on the pond. Great place for photography and picnics.

Belvedér Castle in Valtice – Classicist Elegance

The film crew also used Belvedér Castle located near Valtice (approximately 15 km from Mikulov). This classicist pavilion from the late 18th century is part of the Lednice-Valtice Area, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

For filming, the creators had to completely furnish the empty castle interior as the original furnishings have not been preserved. In the film, the castle represents an official or representative environment where important scenes take place.

Interesting fact: Belvedér was built as a hunting lodge and summer residence of the Liechtensteins. Its name means "beautiful view" and indeed a wonderful view of the surrounding landscape opens up from here.

Film Premiere in Mikulov – Event of 2025

The film Pod parou had its gala premiere in Mikulov in August 2025, where the entire filming took place. Local residents who participated in filming as extras had a unique opportunity to see themselves on the big screen and view familiar places in a new cinematic form.

The Mikulov premiere was a major social event attended by actresses Hana Vagnerová, Zuzana Bydžovská, and other crew members. Director Rudolf Biermann thanked local residents for their cooperation and emphasized that Mikulov's atmosphere was key to the overall feel of the film.

The film is available in cinemas throughout the Czech Republic and from October 2025 also on the Netflix streaming platform, where you can watch it anytime.

Film Tourism in Mikulov – How to Tour All the Locations

If you're a fan of the film Pod parou, you can plan a film walk through Mikulov that takes you through all the key filming locations. Recommended route:

Film locations route (approximately 4-5 hours total):

1. Start at the square – historic center with castle and Marian column (30 minutes)
2. Climb up Holy Hill – Way of the Cross and Dietrichstein tomb (1 hour)
3. Castle garden – walk along the terraces with views (45 minutes)
4. Lunch in the center – possibility to visit O'Hara bar or another restaurant (1 hour)
5. Mariánský mlýn quarry – walk to the quarry and relax by the water (1.5 hours)
6. Portz Insel Pavilion – walk around the pond (30 minutes)
7. Optional: Sonberk Winery – tasting and dinner (2-3 hours)

Total route length: Basic circuit without the winery takes 4-5 hours. With a visit to Sonberk and Belvedér (by car) a full day.

Conclusion – Mikulov as a Film Star

The film Pod parou proved that Mikulov has the potential to be a significant filming location. The combination of historic architecture, picturesque nature, wine culture, and authentic atmosphere created the perfect environment for a story about searching for the meaning of life, friendship, and freedom.

If you've seen the film, visiting Mikulov allows you to walk through the places where the story took place and see familiar locations with your own eyes. And if you don't know the film yet, Mikulov will offer you inspiration to watch it – you'll see how beautifully South Moravia can look on the big screen.

Planning film tourism in Mikulov? Penzion Růže is the ideal base for exploring all the filming locations. We are located in a quiet part of Mikulov, yet only 1 minute walk from the amphitheater and 10 minutes from the historic center. We offer comfortable rooms, free parking in a secured area, and we're happy to help you plan your film walk. Contact us at [email protected] or phone +420 602 340 758!