Brno

A bit of history

Archaeological findings prove that the area has been inhabited since the Prehistoric Era. The first written record of settlement comes from 1091 from the Cosmas Chronicle. Since the 11th century, there are records of the Břetislav's Castle. Since the 13th century, the area was gradually being colonized. Fortifications around the city of Brno were built. During the Hussite Wars, the city Brno resisted the Hussite attacks and some time later defended itself against the attacks of the Swedish army. At the time, Brno was the only city in whole Moravia that managed to resist the Swedes. Due to this, the Austrian Empire was able to create a new army and eventually push out the Swedish forces. Not even the Prussians in the 18th century managed to seize Brno. In the 18th century, Brno and its surroundings saw a rapid industrial development, especially in the textile and engineering industry. Brno ceased to be a fortified town and began to spread. New schools, grammar schools, administrative buildings and other objects were being built. Street lamps were installed. Since 1839, a train line to Brno was built.

Significant buildings

Brno is indisputably dominated by the Špilberk Castle that used to serve as a fort and later as a dreaded prison. Another significant architectonical monument in the city is the Cathedral of St Peter and Paul. Several historical architectonical pearls, including the unique functionalistic building called Vila Tugendhat , are included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Other buildings, that are definitely worth seeing in Brno are e.g. the Main Railway Station, the Moravian Gallery (Místodržitelský Palace) , the Měnín Gate, the House of Art, the Parnas Fountain, the Mahen Theatre or the Zeman Cafe. There are also many churches and ecclesiastical buildings. Apart from the already mentioned cathedral, there is the Red Church, the St Jacob's Church, the St Michael's Church, the Augustinian Monastery and the Basilica of the Assumption of Virgin Mary, etc.

Brno Fairground

Brno is renowned all over the world for its fairground, which hosts a number of international expositions.

Zoo Brno and other attractions

In the city, you can also visit the ZOO Brno built in the beautiful surroundings of a forest park on the edge of the city. Not far from the zoo, there is the Brno Reservoir, which is a pleasant place to spend your free time, not only in summer. There are two botanical gardens in Brno.

Art and culture in Brno

There are several museums for art lovers in Brno: the Brno City Museum, which includes the Špilberk Castle , Manín Gate and Vila Tugendhat . The Moravian Museum offers several interesting exhibitions: Anthropos, the Bishop Palace, the Dietrichstein Palace and the Palace of Noblewomen. Brno can boast a number of quality theatres: the Janáček Theatre, the Mahen Theatre, the Bolek Polívka Theatre, the Husa Na Provázku Theatre and many others.

Free time activities

The city Brno offers various fun parks for children: the Anthill Playground , the Bongo Fun Park and the Jungle Park Brno . In sultry days, you can visit some of the numerous natural swimming pools in the city: the Kraví Hora Recreation Area , the Natural Swimming Pool Riviera or indoor pools, such as the Swimming Pool TJ Tesla or the Swimming Pool Brno .

Places of interest in the surroundings of Brno

In the vicinity of the city, there is the Veveří Castle and 20km off the city is the Moravian Karst with five accessible caves.

Brno Circuit

About 15km from Brno in the direction towards Prague you can come across the Brno Circuit, where automobile competitions, including the Grand Prix of the Czech Republic, take place.

National and international festivals

Brno hosts the festival of fun "Brno - City in the Centre of Europe". It includes rides in old means of transport, such as the historic horse-pulled tram. Brno annually welcomes hundreds of thousands visitors coming for the "Ignis Brunensis", which is an international competitive festival of fireworks. From June to September, the "Brno Cultural Summer" takes place in the city centre. It includes theatre performances called the "Brno Shakespeare Festival". Brno is the venue of two significant symphonic music festivals - the International Music Festival Brno and the open-air International Music Festival Špilberk. The multi-genre music festival Semtex Culture also takes place in Brno.

GPS: 49.1919000000, 16.6088000000  Edit

Altitude: 228 m  Edit

Population: 200000  Edit

Foundation (year): 1243  Edit

	Měnínská brána Museums, 0.4 km	Add to the plan
	Mahen Theatre 0.6 km	Add to the plan
	Špilberk Castle Castles , 0.7 km	Add to the plan
	Mendel Museum 1.1 km	Add to the plan
	Janáček Memorial in Brno Museums, 1.2 km	Add to the plan
	Trade Fairs Brno 1.8 km	Add to the plan
	Kraví Hora Swimming Pool Swimming, 1.9 km	Add to the plan
	Tugendhat Villa 1.8 km	Add to the plan
	Swimming-Pool in Brno Swimming, 2.3 km	Add to the plan
	Antrohpos Brno Museums, 3 km	Add to the plan

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