The Czech Republic consists
of three historic regions: Bohemia in the west, Moravia in the
east, and Silesia in the north east.
The main industrial, cultural and historical centre of Moravia
is BRNO, the second biggest city in the Czech Republic, with
a population of 390,000. In the past, Brno was the capital of
the former Moravian Margraviate. The dominant feature of the
city is the I 3-th century Gothic castle pilberk, later rebuilt
as a chateau. In the 18th century, pilberk was fortified, and
a century later, it was turned into a prison. 80,000 people
were imprisoned here during the Nazi occupation. In the centre
of the city there is a well preserved Gothic Town Hall with
a watchtower, as well as numerous Renaissance and Baroque palaces
and churches. In the Capuchin Monastery there is a crypt with
the mummified remains of monks. The l4-th century Augustinian
Monastery once hosted composer Leo Janáček, as well as J.G.Mendel,
the first scientist to discover the laws of genetics. On Petrov
Hill, overlooking the river, is the Cathedral of Sts.Peter and
Paul, founded as a Romanesque basilica in the 11th century,
and later rebuilt. The city also offers a number of theatres,
galleries and museums. The Brno Exhibition Grounds are the venue
for frequent international trade fairs. On the north-western
outskirts of the city lies the Brno Dam Lake, the biggest recreational
facility in the area.
JIHLAVA (pop. 52,800) is the centre of the Czech-Moravian
Highlands. The royal mining town was established in the mid-13th
century, near the local silver deposits. The heart of the town
is a historic urban reserve. Its sloping main square is one
of the largest in the Czech Republic. Other sights include the
Gothic parish church founded around 1257, well-preserved fortifications
and a Gothic gate, rebuilt in Renaissance style. The composer
Gustav Mahler (1860-1911) spent his childhood in the town.
TELC (pop. 7,200) is one of the most beautiful historic
towns in the Czech Republic, listed as a landmark protected
by the UNESCO. The original 12-th century village was extended
in the 13th century, and became a fortress surrounded by fishponds
and water moats. It has had the status of a town since 1258.
Despite later additions, the centre of the town has preserved
its medieval character. The historic square is lined with Gothic,
Renaissance and Baroque town houses with richly decorated gables
and arcades. Other highlights include a 16-th century Renaissance
chateau, a Gothic church andremains of the original fortifications.
MIKULOV (pop. 7,700)
is a town situated in picturesque surroundings on the slopes
of the Pavlovské Hills, near the Czech-Austrian border. It
is the centre of a wine-growing region, known mainly for its
light white wines. The town was established below a Gothic
castle in the 14th century. The castle was destroyed in 1945,
and restored in the l960s. Other sights include the historic
town reserve, Gothic and Baroque churches and the old Jewish
cemetery. In the vicinity of the town there are many private
wine cellars, some of them decorated in the traditional folklore
style.
OLOMOUC (pop. 106,100) is the cultural and historical
centre of North Moravia. It has a castle built in 1055. The
local bishopric was established in 1063. In 1306, Olomouc
was the scene of dramatic events when the last member of the
Pfemyslid dynasty, Wenceslas III, was murdered here. Until
1641, Olomouc was the capital of Moravia. Later, Brno became
more important. Olomouc University, now known as Palackého
University, was founded in 1566, moved to Brno in 1778, and
restored here in 1946. The main sights include the Town Hall,
founded in 1378, St.Wenceslas Cathedral, built in 1109 and
later refurbished, an 18th-century fortress, as well as many
old town houses and churches of various styles. Olomouc has
the status of a historic urban reserve. The town has three
theatres and a symphony orchestra. It is an important railway
junction, and an industrial centre, known also for its cheeses.
The annual Flora Exhibition of plants takes place here.
OSTRAVA (pop. 327,000) is an industrial city in the Ostrava-Karviná
coal basin located between North Moravia and Silesia, near
the Polish border. It was founded in 1267, but it did not
expand until 1782 when the local coal mining tradition began.
Today, Ostrava is the country's leading centre of coal mining
and metallurgy (VItkovické Ironworks). It is also the seat
of the Mining University. The city has several examples of
old architecture: The Old Town Hall established in 1687, now
serving as a museum, a Gothic parish church, and an interesting
small wooden church dating back to the late 16th century.
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Affy
Travel Agency
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Republic
Tel: + 420 - 251 511 836 or 251 511 859 / 60 / 61
Fax: +420 - 257 327 662
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