History of Brno. Entertainment and recreation Entertainment and recreation

Brno, the main city of the region of South Moravia, is located in the southeast, at the confluence of the Svitava and Svratka rivers, in the area where the Bohemian-Moravian Upland and the South Moravian Plain meet smoothly. The city itself stands on the middle tiers of a hill that defines its historical layout. Two hills stand out - Petrov and Špilberk, on which stands the castle of the same name. Brno's industrial clusters are located mainly in the south-eastern and north-eastern parts of the city.

DOUBLE PEDIGREE

Brno is a city that is equally Slavic and German - this is how its history unfolded. This circumstance explains and defines a lot in it clearly and specifically.

The Moravian Museum in Brno houses an exhibit of world significance - the Vestocian, or Paleotic, Venus. This figurine of a woman made of baked clay, according to experts, was created between 29,000 and 25,000 BC. BC e.; its height is 111 mm and its width is 43 mm, and this is the oldest artifact of its kind on the planet. No later than this time, therefore, sites of ancient people appeared in Moravia. As for the Brno region specifically, the first settlement, the fortification of which was discovered by archaeologists, was founded by the Celts of the Boi tribe around 400 BC. e. And this settlement was called, according to some purely speculative hypotheses, Eburodunon. There are also more logical etymological versions regarding the name Brno. For example, it is associated with the common verb for the ancient Western Slavs “brinity” - to strengthen and with the Czech word “brneni”, which comes from it, - armor. In the XII-XIX centuries, when the city was spoken mainly in German, its name sounded like Brunn.

Somewhere in the 60s. BC e. The Celts were driven out of Moravia by the Germanic tribes of the Quadi and Marcomanni. Western Slavs began to settle in the area of the future city in the V-VIII centuries. The first written mention of the settlement of Brno in European chronicles dates back to the 9th century. by the 11th century it is already reported as a fortified fortress of Prince Břetislav and the adjacent city of Břetislav Castle at the crossing of the Svratka River. The crossing appeared around 1000. At the end of the 11th - beginning of the 12th century. Dutch, Flanders, Walloons, Jews. Among the new colonizers of Moravia in general and Brno in particular, the majority were Germans. From 1182 the city became the residence of the Margrave of the Holy Roman Empire. In 1243, King Vaclav I Přemyslid of Bohemia (c. 1205-1253) granted Brno the privileges of a free city; under him, Brno was surrounded by fortified walls with five gates. In the 13th century. To protect the city from the south, a powerful castle fortress with the German name Špilberk was erected in the 16th century. equipped with new fortifications and reconstruction of the castle building in the Austrian Baroque style.

How many sieges this fortress on the hill withstood, we can talk about it separately for a long time (part of this will be discussed further). No less important is that thanks to which the fortress remained impregnable, and the defenders of Brno were ready to lay down their lives for their hometown, regardless of their nationality. There is only one answer - life in the city was very good. In 1355, a clerk named Jan (that's all that is known about him) compiled the “Book of Verdicts of the Brno Conshels” (consels or consuls are 12 advisors to the burgomaster). This was a set of rules according to which the city government, the Evangelical Church of John Amos Komensky (“Red Church”), should work. so that things in the city go dynamically and successfully: where to build what, how to take care of all citizens, etc. Many cities in Europe relied on this document as a standard. However, there were also deviations from fair verdicts: in 1454, King Ladislaus, nicknamed Pogrobek, expelled the Jews from Brno. But not far away, the Jewish settlement that had moved then was inside the city limits.

The Augustinian monks, whose order settled in the city in 1356, did a lot for the development of artistic and musical culture in Brno. In 1653, the charitable Augustinian Turnov Foundation arose, the goals of which were to support musicians, organize concerts, and music schools. And today Brno is the musical center of the Czech Republic, the most prestigious classical music festivals in the world are held here, and the largest Music Academy in the Czech Republic. L. Janacek, who lived and worked in Brno.

The last Brno Germans left the city as the Red Army approached, liberating the city on April 26, 1945.

WHAT IS GIVEN TO BRNO

Like all historical cities, Brno has its own traditions, which arose due to one or another historical event or long-term process.

Among such events, there is one that looks like a legend, but it actually happened. In 1645, Brno was besieged by the Swedes. Unsuccessfully. Extremely annoyed by this, the Swedish general Thorstensen publicly declared in strong terms that if the fortress did not fall by noon the next day, he would abandon attempts to take it. He stated recklessly. Having learned about this, he intervened in the situation." The bell ringer of the town hall. In the city, it was customary to announce the arrival of noon by ringing the bells on the town hall tower. And on the day when everyone was tensely awaiting the outcome of the siege, the bell rang at 11.00. The Swedes understood everything, of course, but they sheathed their weapons and retreated, taking the untimely sound of the bell as an unkind sign for themselves. Since then, noon in Brno has always conventionally arrived an hour earlier than it should have. 1645 had a not at all symbolic meaning for Brno: from this year the city. became the capital of Moravia, and its eternal rival Olomouc lost this status. There were several reasons for this, and one of them was that Brno, as in 1643, did not surrender to the Swedes, and Olomouc did not resist them in 1642.

If Olomouc in the Czech Republic is considered the “Second Prague,” then Brno cannot be called the “third Prague,” although certain similarities in this regard, of course, can also be found. The residents of Brno themselves believe that their city is much more reminiscent of Paris with its boulevards with chestnut trees or Vienna. Regarding Vienna, this is indisputable: to the Austrian capital from Brno along a straight line 111, on the highway - 144 km, and the city forever imprinted in itself the style and tastes of the old city, its imperial pretentiousness and at the same time artistry, as well as its own custom - to always have a clear civil position. Thus, during the Hussite Wars (between 1419 and 1434), unlike many other cities in the Czech Republic, it remained faithful to King Sigismund; the Hussites besieged the city twice - in 1428 and 1430, but left its walls with nothing. 1619 Brno supported the anti-Habsburg so-called Estates Uprising, which became one of the triggers of the Thirty Years' War.

During the Reformation in the Czech Republic, Brno remained faithful to the Catholic Church and gave shelter to many of its monastic orders, which repaid the city with the construction of churches and monasteries. Brno was once called the “prison of nations” in the rest of Europe, and in the most literal sense of these words. Because people of various nationalities languished in the basements of Špilberk Castle, who ended up there mainly for political dissent towards the Austrian monarchy. The castle ceased to be a prison in 1858.

Its geographical position at the crossroads of the most important roads in Central Europe determined its profile as a commercial and industrial city. Skilled and hardworking artisans have always lived here, which was wisely taken advantage of by enterprising and efficient German merchants. By the 19th century Brno has become the most important economic center of the Czech Republic. And although Brno was subjected to intense bombing during World War II, its residents were able to quickly restore both the city itself and its industrial potential. Today Brno has a diversified industry, in which priority belongs to heavy engineering. This does not mean that new, high-tech types of industry are not developing; fortunately, the two main Brno universities - Masaryk University (Masaryk University) and the Technical University, as well as other educational institutions produce excellent specialists and actively conduct scientific research. Business people in Europe know the way to Brno well; for almost 80 years, exhibitions and fairs of various themes have been held here almost continuously, successively or in parallel. The area of the Brno Exhibition Center, which has existed since 1928, today is 196 thousand m2, and it is never empty.

ATTRACTIONS OF BRNO

■ Freedom Square (Lower Market) with a “plague” column, which is crowned with a sculpture of St. Mary, dedicated to the victory over the Swedes in the 17th century, the House of the “Gentlemen on Lipa” (Renaissance, late 16th century); House “At Four Blockheads” (neo-baroque, 1902); Vegetable Market Square with the Reduta Theater (XV century) and the Parnassus Fountain (XVII century)

■ Ring of boulevards laid out in the 1860s. on the site of ancient city fortifications.

■ Špilberk Castle (originally built in the 13th century, after a fire it was restored in the 16th century in the Baroque style, it houses the Museum of the History of the City).

■ Churches: Saints Peter and Paul (Gothic, neo-Gothic, XIII-XX centuries), Saint Jacob (Gothic, Renaissance, XIII-XVI centuries) and his ossuary, the Finding of the Holy Cross (Baroque, XVII-XVIII centuries) and the monastery capuchins; St. John (John of Nepomuk, Baroque, 18th century) and other religious buildings.

■ Old Town Hall (Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, XIII-XVI centuries).

■ New Town Hall (Renaissance, Baroque, XVI-XVIII centuries)

■ Dietrichstein Palace (Baroque, 17th-18th centuries) and the Moravian Museum and the Children's Museum located in it.

■ Other museums: Moravian Gallery (art museum), Mendeleanum (natural science named after G. Mendel at Masaryk University), Technical, Anthropos (anthropology), ethnographic, Gypsy culture.

■ Villa Tugendhat (1930) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

■ Park on Cow Hill, with a Planetarium and Observatory named after. N. Copernicus.

■ System of karst caves Moravian Kras.

■ Lake Brno (reservoir), recreation area.

■ Nearby is the city of Slavkov, near which the Battle of Austerlitz took place

■ Brno residents have two favorite symbols, and both are kept by the Old Town Hall. This is an ordinary-looking wooden wheel and a crocodile under the arch of the entrance to it, or rather, his stuffed animal. The wheel, according to legend, was brought to Brno by a craftsman from Lednice, who bet that he could make it in a day and deliver it to the town hall, and the distance there is 40 km. He won the argument. A stuffed crocodile, also according to legend, was given to the city in the 15th century. Crocodiles made of glass, porcelain and edible ones made of marzipan are sold everywhere in Brno, and they are called dragons here.
■ Špilberk Castle is full of legends, and all of them are creepy. According to one legend, women who cheated on their husbands were thrown into the basements of the castle; according to another, women were only frightened by imprisonment, but were always pardoned; according to a third, the castle ceased to be a prison after its owner spent the night as a prisoner in the basement.
■ In addition to the bells on the Old Town Hall tower, the clock on the tower of Špilberk Castle also chimes noon at 11 am. In 2010, a six-meter clock shaped like a sleeve was installed on Freedom Square. At 11:00 this clock shoots a glass bullet; tourists who find themselves here at this hour try to catch an unusual souvenir. The glass bullet is by no means accidental. According to legend, the same General Thorstensen who vowed to take Brno before noon is immortal, and only a glass bullet can finish him off.

Brno is an ancient city in the Czech Republic, visited by millions of tourists every year. It is the second city after (the capital of the Czech Republic) and the center of Moravia.

The city of Brno is extremely rich in traditions, customs and events that took place there. An interesting fact is that almost the entire historical part of the city (starting from the 13th century) has been preserved to this day in its original form. Fortresses, castles, cathedrals are organically combined with modern high-tech buildings.

One day is not enough for you to explore all the architectural monuments and interesting places. At the same time, you can easily find all the attractions of this city on your own, because most of them are located in the center or near train stations.

In this article, we will look at the most important attractions of Brno, which you can see in one day, spend useful and enjoyable leisure time alone or with your family, and not miss the chance to plunge into the ancient history of Europe.

A symbol of the city, an administrative building with an unusual history. The Town Hall is located next to the Green Market Square, directly in the city center, so getting to it is not difficult.

In the past there was a court, a city council, and now a storage facility for important documents. And in one of the rooms the Brno dragon is kept - a stuffed animal of a huge crocodile brought from Turkey back in the 17th century.

In the courtyard of the town hall, various events are held almost every day: concerts and exhibitions.

A 13th-century building located in Jacob's Square.

Over the course of several centuries, the church has undergone many reconstructions and will be of great interest to lovers of architecture and design, as it is a striking example of a combination of Romanesque and Gothic styles.

St. Jacob's Cathedral is a spiritual center where church ceremonies and services are still held.

The church is open to visitors from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., at Jakubska 11.

But you should remember that during baptisms, weddings and funerals, entry into the temple is strictly prohibited.

You will come across the image of this castle as soon as you get your hands on a 10-crown coin. The sight of this powerful fortress with its picturesque surroundings will take your breath away and you will be amazed by the majestic size of this structure. Various festivals and fencing competitions are often held here.

The castle museum itself represents a combination of three architectural styles: Renaissance, Baroque and Gothic. The existing observation deck will allow you to see the entire city and the entire panorama of Brno will be visible at a glance.

Open from 9.00 to 17.00, adult ticket - 90 CZK, child and discount ticket - 50 CZK.

Beer connoisseurs cannot do without a visit to the Starborno brewery. The on-site brasserie serves local beer and also has a restaurant and bar. This means that here you can try not only fresh Czech beer, but also national dishes.

The cost of beer for a 0.5l mug ranges from 30 to 50 CZK.

It has existed from the 18th century to the present day, with a brisk trade in vegetables, fruits and flowers. Open from early morning until late evening.

In the center of the square is the famous Parnassus fountain with a stone statue of the goddess Europa on a dragon.

In the vicinity of the market there is the Dietrichstein Palace with a museum inside.

The main specialization of the museum is craft exhibitions and displays that tell about the history of Moravia.

Here you can also quickly and inexpensively have a snack in one of the many cafes or bars.

Getting to the Cabbage Market is not difficult, from the main station by trams 4,8,9.

The cathedral was erected on Peter's Hill in the 18th century, and another historical landmark is located nearby - the bishop's palace.

Behind the temple there is an observation deck, from which you can admire the surroundings of Brno, and the two highest spiers of the cathedral are visible from anywhere in the city.

The only building in the Czech Republic of the 20th century, in the Art Nouveau style, which is included in the UNESCO list as an object of world significance. The villa was built in the early thirties of the last century, but the modernity of the style is amazing (the elegant interior of the house is expressed in minimalism and detailed furnishings).

Open from 10.00 to 18.00, the price of a full tour is about 350 CZK and it is better to order and purchase tickets for a visit in advance due to the huge flow of visitors.

This church is the burial place of mummified famous Czechs and monks. In addition, the huge library and wall frescoes are of great value, so book lovers and historians are just for you. The monastery is located on the former territory of the Brno Coal Market. It combines both the present and the past of the country.

It hosts not only performances, but also the most important city events.

The repertoire is based on plays by Czech playwrights.

Drama, ballet and opera performances take place throughout the theater season. Feedback from those who visited the theater is always emotional and vivid.

The theater is located on the territory of the Cabbage Market and can be reached by trams 4,8,9 from the main station.

The most beautiful social place in the city. This square, of an unusual triangular shape, contains a huge number of architectural monuments: the figure of the Virgin Mary, the Brno Orloj clock, figures of the Atlanteans and many others. Here you will definitely have the opportunity to take unique selfies and photos. What to see with children?

If, nevertheless, your trip takes place with your family and children, then the first thing you simply need to do is go to zoo, which houses more than one and a half thousand rare and outlandish animals.

You can get there either by personal transport (parking is available at the entrance) or by public transport - bus 50, 52; trolleybus 30 and trams 1, 3, 11.
The price of an adult ticket is 100 CZK, a child ticket is 70 CZK, children under three years old are free.
Visiting hours are from 9.00 to 18.00.

There is something to see for passionate nature lovers and lovers of fresh air. They are encouraged to visit. According to tourists' descriptions, it is better to visit there in spring and summer, when everything is in bloom and you will have the opportunity to see collections of various exotic plants and their hybrids.

A visit to the garden of miniatures will be exciting, which will be equally interesting for both children and adults.

Brno is an amazing place with a unique history, rich in local flavor.

Visit one of the most beautiful cities in the Czech Republic - Brno and you will definitely fall in love with it at first sight, and the desire to visit it again and again will persist for a long time!

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2018-08-27

TOURISTS' ANSWERS:

Brno is the former capital of the Great Moravian Principality and the second most important and largest city in the modern Czech Republic after Prague. Being part of Austria-Hungary, this South Moravian city was called Brünn. Nowadays, Brno is also called “Moravian Paris” for its harmonious combination of diverse architecture, the beauty of its squares and the comfort of its narrow streets.

One of the main symbols of the city is the Špilberk Fortress, which was alternately a defensive structure, a castle and a prison, and currently the fortress is a museum, showing visitors the former casemates and dungeons of prisoners. Every year the fortress hosts a music festival of the same name, held in the open air.

The hill where Špilberk is located offers stunning views of the city.

Another, official (!), symbol of the city, more peaceful than the prison fortress, despite its sharp teeth, is the Brno crocodile. His stuffed animal was brought from Turkey back in the seventeenth century, and since none of the local residents had ever seen such creatures in their lives, they decided that it was a dragon. Crocodile is incredibly popular among locals; in pastry shops you can even find small crocodile dragons made from marzipan and in the form of gingerbread.

An equally remarkable landmark is the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, rising above the city on one of the hills. Its narrow neo-Gothic spiers are visible from anywhere in the city. In addition to the cathedral, the temple’s tomb is also open to the public.

The Church of St. John, built in the late Gothic style, is also called the Red Church due to its red brickwork. This temple is very loved by local residents, who call it the most beautiful church in the city. In addition, it is believed that visiting the church will bring happiness to lovers.

On Green Tyrkh Square there is a decorative pond called “Parnas”. This sculptural monument, made in the Baroque style, is unique for Brno.

The Dietrichstein Palace, built by order of Cardinal Dietrichstein, is also made in the Baroque style. Currently, there are exhibitions of the Moravian Museum of Local Lore, including the world's oldest ceramic product - a small figurine of the Vestonice Venus.

The Governor's Palace, located on Moravian Square, was rebuilt from a former Augustinian monastery. Nowadays, part of the building is used as a museum. Adjacent to this building is the Church of St. Thomas (St. Thomas). Part of the exhibition from the Moravian Gallery is also located here.

In general, in Brno, as the second cultural capital, there are a lot of exhibitions, museums, and expositions. The largest, of course, is the Moravian Gallery. There are also many theaters here. The most famous, one of the first in the Czech Republic, is the Reduta Theater. The building is the oldest theater in Brno. In front of the theater there is a monument to the young Mozart, who at the age of eleven in 1767 performed on this stage.

In Brno, this provincial and completely non-tourist city, it is pleasant to simply wander around, snatching with your gaze or camera lens from its slender, albeit motley appearance, another church, of which there are many, or a small building with a red roof, or an amazingly beautiful old lantern.

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Brno is the second largest Czech city. It is located 2.5 hours drive from Prague. And also, not far from Brno to Vienna and Bratislava. Walking distance, as they say. Brno is an extremely cozy town! Walking around Brno is very pleasant, and while away the evenings in local bars - even better. Better yet, rent a bike and ride around the streets of the city. There are enough attractions in Brno that you won’t be able to do it all in one day.

Spilberk Castle (Hrad Spilberk)

This castle has been everything in its many years of history! It was a residential building, a military complex, a prison (“prison of nations”), and a museum, which it is now. The museum has permanent exhibitions that will offer you collections of prints, rooms with antique furniture, household items and everything else. Take a look into the kitchen and dungeon, former prison cells on the ground floor (today there is an exhibition “Špilberk – Prison of Nations”). Climb to the observation deck in the corner tower and admire the magnificent view of the city - after all, the castle stands on a hill (the tower, it seems, is only open in the summer). If you're hungry, try the restaurant right on site. Afterwards you can take a walk through the park that surrounds the castle, and the entire park is dotted with paths leading to the castle. The shortest one is from Husova Street. The road is from Uvoz street. Typically, the castle can be visited from 9 am to 5 or 6 pm. One way or another, come to the castle early, at least an hour before closing, otherwise they may not sell you tickets later. Entrance costs about 3.5 €.

Address:Špilberk 210/1

Capuchin Monastery

The monastery was built in the 17th century. The main value of the monastery is the tomb where the relics of 16 monks are kept. At the head of the tombs (that is, they lie without coffins, just like that) there are two bricks (all according to the rules of the Capuchin monastic order). The air circulation system in the crypt is very interesting - that is why the bodies did not decompose and still look very...cough...good today. In addition, 150 bodies of townspeople and aristocrats of the city were buried at the monastery. For example, of the most famous, Franz von Trenck, a military leader of the Austrian army, who donated most of his fortune to the Capuchin Order, rests here. His relics are kept in a glass coffin. The monastery is open from morning to 16:30 with a break at lunchtime. From December 15 to February 14, the monastery is closed. A ticket costs about 2.5 € for adults, 1 € for children and pensioners. You can take photographs in the monastery, but this is also paid. By the way, it is better for particularly impressionable people, children and pregnant women not to enter the monastery at all. The preserved bones and bodies are definitely not a sight for the faint of heart.

Address: Kapucínské náměstí 303/5

Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul (Katedrál asvatého Petra a Pavla)

This Gothic Cathedral stands on top of a hill in Brno. A very significant and famous architectural monument. This cathedral is visible from many points in the city. The building is very beautiful. Impressive from all sides, as they say: luxurious altars, a 12th-century Romanesque tomb, a statue of the Madonna and Child, stained glass windows depicting scenes from the lives of saints, the pulpit of Capistranka (a monk who preached in the cathedral in the mid-15th century. They say he healed people at once!) Also impressive are two towers 81 meters high and a clock that always strikes at 11 o’clock in the afternoon. This tradition is dedicated to the events of 1645, when the bell ringer in the cathedral rang not at noon, as usual, but earlier, at 11, and thereby saved the city and its citizens during the siege by the Swedes. Tourists can enter the tomb (although on weekdays only with the permission of the cathedral management), the cathedral treasury and the southern tower, where you can climb and from where a magnificent view of the city opens. If a service, wedding or funeral is taking place in the cathedral, or any other religious holidays, the cathedral, naturally, is closed. Tickets are not expensive, no more than a couple of euros, and the cathedral is open until 5 or 6 pm depending on the time of year.

Address: Petrov 9

Old City Hall (Stara Radnice)

This is the oldest secular building in Brno. Its peak is visible from afar. And besides, the town hall is beautiful. The figurines of squires that support the ancient coat of arms of Brno next to the entrance to the town hall are impressive, and that, of course, is not all. There are many popular legends about this building, which have already become fairy tales. The legend about the Bren dragon says that once a terrible dragon appeared in the city, tormenting people and attacking livestock. One of the residents, who worked in a butcher shop, guessed to heal quicklime into the skin of the animal. The dragon killed the poisoned “animal”, began to drink, the lime began to extinguish and the dragon burst. Well, a stuffed animal of the terrible monster was hung in the Old Town Hall. There is another legend called the “legend of the wheel.” She talks about how in the small town of Lednice there lived a cheerful guy who once bet with his friends who could cut down a tree, turn it into a wheel and ride it to Brno. And yet the guy did everything he argued about, drove to the town hall, asked the priest for a confirmation paper and went home. These are such ridiculous and funny stories.

And the building is really beautiful. Climb the observation tower of the structure, which is located at an altitude of 60 meters and admire the views of the city. And if you don’t go inside, at least admire the outside, and if you’re lucky, you’ll get to some cultural event held in front of the Town Hall (the cultural center of the city, all that stuff). The town hall is open late every day from April to September (sometimes until 10 pm).

Address: Radnická 368/8

Exhibition complex

This center hosts the city's largest exhibitions, conferences and fairs, and has been doing so for quite some time. Moreover, not only local, but also international. Well, the building is also interesting. About 15 years ago, the building even received the title “Building of the Century” for its unique design.

Address: Vistaviste 1

Brno, a city in the Czech Republic, is good at any time of the year. In summer, when stone walls give you the desired coolness. In autumn, when the brick walls of old houses merge with the color of falling leaves. In winter, when the air is thin and transparent, and the smoke from the breweries somehow smells special of fresh malt. In the spring, when the whole city is drowning in a green light haze. There is a lot to see on your own, even in one day!

And outside the city, in the famous Moravian forests, there is so much light and colors, so many smells and sounds that you don’t even want to return to cozy Brno.

By the way. Brno's sister city is Brno, which is not inferior to it in the beauty of its sights.

Moravian Kras

Karst caves

An extensive system of 1,100 karst caves from the Devonian period, covering an area of approximately 100 square kilometers, is called the Moravian Karst. The caves have different sizes and are located at different depths.

The most visited cave is Punkevni, a kind of repository of stalactites, which can be viewed in close proximity; for this purpose, tourists in the Czech Republic are offered boat rides on the underground lake. Stalactites have a very bizarre shape, which is why tourists give them funny names. There is also a river flowing here, the depth of which sometimes reaches 40 meters. You can experience previously unknown feelings when you find yourself in this kingdom of stones and water.

Masaryk's Cave is one of the most beautiful places in the Moravian region. People also get there by boat along the underground river. This little journey makes an unforgettable impression on tourists, especially when the boat ends up underground and moves further and further from the sun, deeper into the cave. And there the owners are bats, there are 18 species of them. After spending some time underground, people emerge from there, rejoicing at the return to the sun and light.

The Macocha abyss is frighteningly deep; there is nothing deeper in Europe. From the highest point to the bottom of the abyss 734 meters. Her name is translated into Russian as “stepmother”. It is connected with a legend: one peasant woman had a son and stepson. When her own child fell ill, she went to the witch, and she said out of anger that the baby would recover only if the woman threw her stepson into the abyss. She did, but her baby died during the night. And in the morning the unfortunate woman threw herself into the abyss.

Moravian Kras is an amazing place that will remain in the memory for a long time.

You can book tickets at the Central Excursion Service Rocky Mill.

Phones: +420 516 413 575, +420 516 410 024, fax: +420 516 415 379

Price Different caves and types of excursions vary. Approximately adults 70 CZK, children 35 CZK, pensioners 60 CZK.

If you drive only forty kilometers from Brno, you can find yourself in the real Middle Ages. Pernštejn Castle is hidden in dense forests and stands on an island. Built back in the 13th century, it is surprisingly well preserved. The walls are carved into monolithic rock and built on with stone.

Like any castle, Pernštejn has many legends. They say that the castle itself was built by a simple coal miner who killed a mighty bison in front of the king and received a piece of land for it.

Among the owners there were also robbers who attacked merchant caravans and hurried to hide behind the castle walls. And the formidable rulers of these lands.

Now in the castle you can see:

a tower called Barborka,
triangular palace with halls decorated with mosaics,
chapel,
library, where 6188 volumes are stored,
an art gallery with portraits of the owners,
old castle kitchen,
a prison with cells where those sentenced to death by starvation were kept,
torture room.

Owners changed, and the castle stood impregnably among the Moravian forests, as a reminder of past events, as a kind of look into the future. Centuries will pass, and it will still rise with its impregnable walls.

You can visit the castle only in groups

On the banks of the Dyja River near the Austrian border, 50 km from Brno, stands Lednice Castle, which belonged to the princes of Liechtenstein. The palace was built in the 17th century in the Baroque style by the architect Johann von Erlach. The castle changed its appearance more than once, it was destroyed by wars, and people restored it again. In the mid-19th century it was reconstructed once again, now in the neo-Gothic style. An English garden was laid out around it. Paying tribute to the fashion of the time, the ruins of a medieval castle were created in the depths of the garden, then a Moorish minaret was built, then greenhouses and a hunting lodge. The princely family loved hunting, and those who for some reason could not participate in it went up to the second floor terrace, a view from which made it possible to comfortably watch what was happening during the hunt.

Now the complex is state property. On the second floor there is a children's art gallery.

Tours are conducted mainly on the first floor of the castle, where ancient interiors still remain, including a unique staircase carved from solid wood that leads to the library.

The villa is unique. It became the fourth modern architectural monument recognized by UNESCO. The owners of the villa were extraordinary people, just like its creator, architect Ludwig van de Rohe. The owners of the villa, the Tugendgad couple, decided to build their own house even before the wedding. The designer they invited was not an architect by training, but he developed a design based on correct geometric lines. Rohe successfully used combinations of natural materials and the reflection of the building in the water. The villa is built on two levels, as it is located on a hillside. The house is divided into zones: living room, which includes bedrooms, children's rooms, the hostess's boudoir, the owner's office; secular half: reception hall, guest rooms. They are connected by a winter garden. Some rooms are decorated with light yellow onyx, which reflects the sun's rays.

The interior spaces are designed according to the principle of free space, where one room flows into another. So, imperceptibly the kitchen goes into the living room, the guest lounge into the library.

This unique home simultaneously blends with and contrasts with its surrounding landscape.

Address: Cernopolni 45, Brno

Operating mode: Tue-Sun 10.00 – 18.00

Price: 250-300 CZK depending on the inspection route.

Zoo

Brno Zoo was opened relatively recently, only 50 years ago. It is located in the middle of a picturesque oak grove on the slopes of Mount Mnishi.

The main collection of the zoo is African artiodactyls.

Here you can walk around the entire zoo, paying attention to three programs.

Kingdom of the tropics ─ here reptiles and forest monkeys live behind glass,
African Safari ─ the project involves keeping antelopes, patterned giraffes, zebras and ostriches together, just like in the wild.
Tiger trails ─ tigers, leopards, and hyenas live on the rocks here.

In 2005, another program began to adapt the Przewalski horse. A special enclosure with an imitation of steppes was created, and a stylized nomadic yurt was even placed there.

Many animals can be observed at close range: raccoons, bush dogs, meerkats.

You can walk around the zoo on foot or ride in electric train carriages.

Address: U Zoologcke Zahrody 4663300 Brno

Telephone: 420 541 421 411

Operating mode:

From November to February from 9.00 to 16.00
March, October from 9.00 to 17.00 hours
From April to September from 9.00 to 18.00

Price:

Adults - 100 Kč.
Children from 3 to 15 years old, students up to 26 years old, pensioners from 65 years old - 70 Kč.
Children under 3 years old are free.
Family (2 adults + 2-3 children) – 270 Kč
Camera – 10 Kč Video camera – 20 Kč

The zoo constantly hosts an exhibition of aquariums, in which city residents participate.

The work of the museum is very interesting. Anyone can conduct experiments at the experimental station on solids, liquids and gases, and try to use acoustics, optics, and magnetism. There are workshops where they will show you how to repair shoes, bind books, and introduce you to the work of a tailor. The watchmaker will explain the structure of the clock mechanism. Visitors enjoy trying to master encryption techniques and find out how and why an ancient box plays a musical melody.

You can just walk around the territory and see vintage cars, trams of the last century, locomotives and carriages. And see the water and wind engines in action. There is a large technical library and various thematic exhibitions on the history of technology are held here. The permanent exhibition on the history of aviation also attracts visitors.

LockShpilberg

On Mount Špilberg in Brno, at the beginning of the 13th century, a fortress town arose, which took its name from Mount Špilberg. Now it is the historical center of Brno.

The center of Spielberg was the fortress. It changed owners and was destroyed by wars. To this day, a Gothic-style palace and chapel have been preserved on its territory. In the 18th century, Spielberg became a fairly fortified fortress, and in the 19th century a prison, which was called the “Vise of Nations.” The harsh stone casemates here have received such a bad reputation. They held French revolutionaries, Italian Carbonari, representatives of the Young Italy movement, Polish rebels and local political prisoners. At the beginning of the 20th century, the prison was closed. And it was opened again during the Second World War.

Now it is a museum, you can go down and explore the casemates.

The observation tower is also well preserved on the territory of the fortress. From here you can see the entire historical center of Brno. Entrance to the tower is only open during the tourist season.

There is also a medieval well, 112 m deep, which was filled in by Napoleon’s soldiers and then restored. During these excavations, a human skeleton was found.

Ticket prices are constantly changing. View on the website .

The Czech Republic borders on Poland, where there are also delightful cities with a huge number of attractions. We recommend that you visit the pages about and

The city got its name from the ancient Czech word “brne”, translated as armor , stronghold. Brno is truly calm, worries and worries recede, as if all the ancient mighty walls of the fortresses from the outskirts of Brno are protecting you.

The city in the south of the Czech Republic with the short and sonorous name Brno is not only the industrial, but also the cultural center of the republic. In terms of size, Brno is a little smaller than Prague, but it really has enough attractions to spend an unforgettable weekend or even a vacation on its streets.

What can you see in Brno?

Castles, cathedrals, squares and town halls decorate Brno in a special way. Markets and shopping centers operate in the city area, and the buildings amaze with the variety of architectural styles with a slight touch of antiquity.

The city of Brno grew around the Spielberg castle complex in ancient times. The construction of the castle dates back to the 13th century. The decree to begin construction came from King Přemysl II.

The castle had two main functions: defensive and residential. The king established his own residence in the castle. In 1645, the strong walls of the castle were useful to the Czechs; they withstood the Swedish siege without much difficulty on the part of the defenders.

In the 17th century, Shpilberg served as a prison, which was nicknamed the “Dungeon of Nations”, as political prisoners were imprisoned there.

Now the castle is both a museum and a historical monument. It regularly conducts excursions for individual tourists and tourist groups. In summer, the Spielberg gates are open to visitors seven days a week from 9 am. In winter, the day off falls on Monday.

Square, vegetable market and fountain

The square, which got its name from the vegetable market located there, is famous for its Parnassus fountain. In the center of the fountain composition you can see the goddess of Europe, followed by statues of the three powers.

The vegetable market is still active today. It is attended by locals and visitors spending their holidays in Brno.

Impressions of castles and squares are often erased from memory, but surprise from the whims of nature remains in its nooks and crannies for a really long time. When traveling around Brno, it is worth setting aside a day to visit the Moravian Karst.

Kras is a system consisting of karst caves underground. The caves are located in the reserve of the same name near the town of Blansko, which borders Brno.

The length of the underground tunnels is 25 kilometers. The total number of caves exceeds 1000, many of them are still unexplored.

The following caves are open to the public in Moravian Kras:

Katarzynska;
Baltsarka;
Stolbno-Shoshuvskaya;
Punkva.

Bats and lizards live in the dungeons of Krasus, so you should not visit these places alone. It is much safer to explore the caves as part of an excursion group.

Church of Saints Peter and Paul

The magnificent Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul was built in the 13th century on the site of a former Roman church. The majestic spiers and vaults of the cathedral gave solace to the residents of Brno when the city was besieged by the Swedes. Today the church is no less important for the townspeople.

The cathedral houses a museum, an operating information center, and also hosts organ concerts. The building is located on Petrova Street and is open to visitors from 7 am.

Town Hall on Green Market Square

The ancient and richly decorated town hall is the heart of the city. Previously, a court, a council, and an institution that printed money were located there. Now there is a cultural center in the town hall, listed in all Brno guidebooks.

The town hall was built in three architectural styles: Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance.

In the summer, under the arch of the town hall, a coin minter shows his work to tourists. The building houses a museum and art gallery. The old town hall is located in the center of Brno.

Villa Tugendhat in Art Nouveau style

The building is the property of the Tugendhat couple. The villa was designed for them by Ludwig van der Rohe in 1930. This building was included in the UNESCO list as one of the best houses in the Art Nouveau style.

You can visit the villa on weekdays from 10 to 6 pm. It is sometimes open to the public on weekends. The building houses a museum and offers detailed tours.

Veveří Castle on the bend of two rivers

Just 20 kilometers from the city of Brno there is a wonderful architectural monument - the Veverzy castle complex. The Svratka and Veverka rivers flow nearby.

The castle was rebuilt in the 13th century. Used by crowned heads for hunting and country recreation. After the castle served as a prison, it was handed over to the city and a museum was organized there.

During the warm season, concerts, holidays and festivals are held in Veveri. It is better to go to the castle by taxi or private car. You can book an excursion from Brno, then delivery to its gates will be carried out by a comfortable bus. An excursion will cost a tourist 180 CZK, a single visit 30 CZK.