Brno history. What is worth seeing in Brno? Where is Brno located in which country

Brno- the ancient city of the Czech Republic, in its size and importance is second only to the capital of the Czech Republic, Prague. The city is geographically located in the south of the country. Rivers flow on both sides of it Svitava and Svrat.

Brno is a significant cultural center in the republic. It attracts people from all over the world, thanks to the concentration of a mass of famous places and attractions.

And that's not all. The city constantly hosts congresses and festivals of national importance. In general, in Brno there is something to see for everyone.

Architectural monuments of Brno

Let's learn more about the main architectural monuments of the city of Brno.

Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul

The temple is made in the Romanesque style. The building was built in 1296 on a hill, so it can be seen from afar.

In the middle of the 17th century, a fire broke out and the church building was badly damaged. After only a century, they were able to restore it. Today the church has two towers, each 84 meters high.

One event is significant from the history of the cathedral. In 1645, a general made a promise that he would leave the city if he could not capture it before noon.

The ringing bell that day was mistaken and rang an hour earlier, thus freeing the city from the invader.

And since then, in memory of this, the clock on the tower rings every day not at noon, but at 11:00 noon.

Today the image of the church is minted on. According to modern legend, their owners can become more successful.

Ossuary of the Church of St. James

In the 17th century, under the church of St. Jacob, a three-chambered tomb appeared, where the remains were piled in neat layers. At the end of the 18th century, the cemetery of the Church of St. Jacob was overcrowded, and he was moved to the outskirts of the city, closed and forgotten about it.

In 2001, during the reconstruction of the square and inspection of the underground, the ossuary was found. Now it is one of the tourist attractions.

Vegetable market square and Parnassus fountain

For several centuries, this square has been a trade in vegetables and poultry. And today you can eat fried chicken on it.

On the square you can admire the beautiful Parnassus fountain. In the center of the fountain there is a stone pedestal of the figure of the goddess Europa. The sculptures on three sides of the fountain symbolize the three powers.

Babylon is indicated by a winged lion and a crown, Greece - by a dragon and arrows in a quiver, a figure of Persia with a cornucopia. The statues are set against the backdrop of a grotto consisting of large stones.

Freedom Square and the Mariana Plague Column

In the old days the local residents called the square "the lower market". In the Middle Ages, houses of noble and wealthy residents were located on it. From above, the square looks like an inverted letter "A".

On the square itself there is the Marian Plague Column. This column symbolizes the liberation of the city from the siege by the Swedish army and from the plague.

At the top of the monument is the Virgin Mary and Child, and the four corners of the pedestal are decorated with statues.

Spielberg Castle

During its centuries-old existence, the castle changed its appearance several times. At first it was a residential building, then it became a military fortification, then a prison. It currently houses a museum with a permanent exhibition.

The most interesting for visitors is visiting the various rooms, corridors, kitchens and dungeons. Prison cells can be seen on the ground floor.

There is an observation deck in the corner tower, from which you can see the whole city.

Villa Tugendhat

It is located in Brno-Černé Fields and is a unique monument of functionalist architecture of the 20th century.

The villa was designed by a German architect. His project of a tall building using steel, concrete and glass, open-plan for the time, turned out to be unlike anything and turned the idea of the architecture of office buildings upside down.

The house was built for the Tugendhat couple, who lived in the villa for 8 years until the Nazis came.

In the 80s, the city authorities restored the villa to its original form.

It is interesting to visit this building because according to the technical ideas of the designer Mies van der Rohe (who is also the architect of the building), it was ahead of its time. The house is equipped as if it was built according to the latest innovations of the modern world, although it was built in 1930.

Old Town Hall

The town hall building is one of the oldest in the city of Brno. The foundation of the building was laid at the beginning of the 13th century. The building itself began to serve the residents for its intended purpose from the beginning of the 14th century.

The Town Hall represents almost all architectural styles, as it has been repaired and rebuilt several times.

In 1660, a shield with the city's coat of arms was erected on the town hall.

Here meetings of the city council, courts were held, as well as documents and money were kept. And there was a prison in the rear wing.

Today the Town Hall is the tourist center of Brno. Exhibitions and various cultural events are held here.

Capuchin monastery

The monastery is famous for its tomb, which houses the relics of sixteen monks.

They were buried without coffins, their heads resting on two bricks, in accordance with the charter of the Capuchin Order.

Thanks to the unusual air circulation system, the bodies did not decompose and look like living things. Also buried here are 150 bodies of aristocrats and townspeople of Brno.

In the crypt of the monks there is an inscription: “We were already like you. And you, too, will be like us. "

Museums, galleries and theaters

Brno is characterized by a large number of museums, galleries and theaters.

Brno City Museum

The museum is located in the Spielberg castle. The opening of the museum took place in 1907, and the impetus for its creation was an exhibition that took place in the city in 1903.

The museum houses such exhibitions as ethnology, painting on glass, archeology, Easter egg, textiles, ceramics. A set of these exhibitions tells about the history of life and life of the indigenous population.

Moravian Museum

This is the second largest museum in the Czech Republic. It opened back in 1817. At the origins of the creation there are influential and wealthy patrons who donated a unique collection of art to the museum.

The museum houses about six million exhibits representing valuable scientific material from the social and natural sciences.

The museum consists of 15 departments dealing with the study and holding of exhibitions in various scientific fields.

Brno Technical Museum

The museum is located on the north side of Brno. This is a four-storey building, each of which has specially equipped halls with various exhibits.

The following permanent exhibitions can be seen here:

an exposition on the history of the development of vehicles (examples of cars and motorcycles of the last century are presented);
an exposition about the history of aviation (a large number of plastic aircraft models from all over the world at different times are presented);
exposition "street of crafts" (a section of the city of Brno of the early 20th century is presented, recreated in the smallest detail);
a technical game room (items on display showing many of the laws of physics in action).

Redoubt theater

There are over 15 different theaters in the city of Brno. The Reduta Theater deserves special attention.

It is one of the oldest theaters in Europe. Itinerant troupes in Brno began performing as early as the 16th century. Especially for them, a stage was built in one of the taverns, on the site of which a theater was founded in 1732.

In addition to theatrical performances, social events were held here. In this theater, while still in his teens, Mozart performed. Here, for the first time, a performance was staged in the native language.

Today, theater critics compare Redoubt with a bar, because it hosts scandalous tours, festivals and chamber performances, and advise those who need a good shake to go to performances.

Copernicus planetarium

The Copernicus Observatory and the Planetarium are located on the so-called Cow Mountain, in the center of the city. The Observatory and Planetarium were founded in 1954. Two hundred seats for spectators are covered by a large dome

The program of the observatory will be interesting for both adults and children. Here you can replenish your knowledge about the Universe, about the stars and their structure, and even go on a journey through virtual space.

All performances in the Planetarium include a human storyteller who leads the story, voices the wonders seen by the guests.

He narrates in Czech. But there are performances in the observatory program in French, English or German, you need to register for them in advance.

Natural attractions

Brno is rich in natural attractions.

Moravian Karst and Macocha Abyss

Moravian Karst- one of the largest karst areas in Central Europe. There are more than 1,100 caves throughout the karst region.

Visitors are allowed to visit only four of them:

Katezhinskaya cave, there are stalagmites known for their unusual vertical arrangement;
Balzarka cave with colorful and varied "decoration" of stalactite on the walls;
Stolbno-Shoshuvskaya cave- these are underground chasms and long corridors;
Punkva cave, here the excursion involves a walk along the Punkva underground river. Those who wish can also inspect the bottom of the abyss Macocha... As a result of the collapse of the top of a huge cave, this abyss was formed.
The upper part of the abyss is 174 m long and 76 m wide. Two observation bridges are located at the edges. The upper one, located at the highest point, was built in 1882.

In 1899, another bridge was built, located above the lower part of Macokhi and from it the bottom is clearly visible.

Luzhanki Park

The park opened to its visitors back in 1788. The park was arranged by the chief gardener of the city A. Bisinger. The park was designed in the baroque style, which was fashionable at that time.

The gardener's efforts were not in vain, the townspeople loved the park very much.

By the end of the 19th century, thanks to the efforts of A. Shebank, in addition to all types of local plants, more than 150 species of various exotic plants appeared in the park, including: soap tree, maple-leaved plane tree, Hungarian oak and others.

Today the park occupies 20 hectares of land, on which there are many cozy shady alleys, monuments, and a decorative reservoir.

Annual events in Brno

Various events are held annually in Brno.

Fireworks parade

Every year, Lake Brenskoye hosts a fireworks parade, which is a competition of pyrotechnics from all over the world. Thousands of Czech citizens and tourists from all over the world come to watch this grand show.

For several weeks, every evening there is an enchanting performance accompanied by music.

It is worth paying attention to the fact that the time of the competition-festival changes every year.

Balloon and Hot Air Balloon Festival

The city of Brno has organized a traditional ballooning festival every year for about 10 years in a row. It is attended by aeronautics from all over Europe. Guests can not only watch the flights of colorful balloons. Those who wish can climb into the sky and admire the landscapes and splendor of the fortresses from a bird's eye view from a bird's eye view.

International festivals of symphonic music

Brno hosts two symphonic music festivals every year. Namely:

International Music Festival Spielberg;
International Music Festival Brno.

Both are held in the open air. Symphonic music festivals are organized by the Philharmonic Society of the Moravian capital.

Representatives of active youth in Brno can easily find many nightclubs, dance discos and bars.

No one will be left indifferent by the majestic monuments of culture and architecture. For lovers of delicious and sophisticated food, the doors of local restaurants with mouth-watering Czech cuisine are always open.

Some of the sights of Brno can be seen in this video:

Thus, a trip to Brno will be interesting for people of all age groups and people involved in various activities.

Brno, the main city of the South Moravian region, is located in the southeast, at the confluence of the Svitava and Svratka rivers, in the area where the Bohemian-Moravian Uplands and the South Moravian plain meet. The city itself stands on the middle tiers of a hill that determines its historical layout. Two hills stand out - Petrov and Shpilberk, on which stands the castle of the same name. The industrial clusters of Brno are mainly located in the southeastern and northeastern parts of the city.

DOUBLE PEDIGREE

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

The Moravian Museum in Brno houses an exhibit of world significance - the Vestocka, or Paleotic, Venus. This figurine of a woman made of baked clay, according to experts, was created between 29,000 and 25,000 years. BC e .; its height is 111, and its width is 43 mm, and this is the oldest artifact of its kind on the planet. No later than this time, therefore, the sites of ancient people appeared in Moravia. As for the Brno region specifically, the first settlement, the castle mound of which was discovered by archaeologists and was founded by the Celts of the fighting 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 verb common to the ancient Western Slavs "briniti" - to strengthen and with the Czech word "brneni", which is derived from it, - armor. In the Xll-XIX centuries, when the city spoke mainly German, its name sounded like Brunn.

Somewhere in the 60s. BC e. the Celts were driven out of Moravia by the Germanic tribes of Quads and Marcomanians. Western Slavs began to settle in the area of the future city in the V-Vll centuries. The first written mention of the Brno settlement in European chronicles dates back to the 9th century. to the XI century. it is already reported as a fortified fortress of Prince Břetislav and the adjacent town of Břetislav Castle at the crossing of the Svratka River. The crossing appeared in about 1000. At the end of the XI - the beginning of the XII century. Dutch, Flanders, Walloons, Jews. Among the new colonialists of Moravia in general and Brno in particular, the Germans were the most. In 1182 the city became the seat of the Margrave of the Holy Roman Empire. In 1243, the King of Bohemia Wenceslas I Přemyslovich (c. 1205-1253) granted Brno the privileges of a free city, under him Brno was surrounded by fortress walls with five gates. In the XIII century. to protect the city from the south, a powerful castle fortress was erected with the German name Spilberk; in the 16th century. re-equipped with fortifications with the rebuilding 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 (partly about this we will talk about it later). Equally important is the fact that 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 (this is all that is known about him) compiled the “Book of Verdicts of the Brno Concheles” (concheles or consuls - 12 advisers to the burgomaster). It was a set of rules according to which the city government should work, the Evangelical Church of Jan Amos Comenius ("Red Church"). so that things in the city go dynamically and successfully: where what needs to be built, how to take care of all citizens, etc. Many European cities relied on this document as a standard. However, there were also deviations from fair verdicts: in 1454 King Ladislav, nicknamed Pogrobek, expelled the Jews from Brno. But not far away, now the then moved Jewish settlement - within 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. And today Brno is the musical center of the Czech Republic, the most prestigious classical music festivals in the world are held here, the largest Czech Academy of Music named. L. Janacek, who lived and worked in Brno.

The last Brno Germans left the city with the approach of the Red Army, which liberated the city on April 26, 1945.

WHAT IS GIVEN BY BRNO

Like all historical cities, Brno has its own traditions that have arisen 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 the Swedes besieged Brno. Unsuccessfully. Extremely annoyed by this, the Swedish General Thorstensen publicly declared in strong expressions that if the fortress did not fall by noon the next day, he would give up trying to take it. Recklessly declared. Upon learning of this, he intervened in the situation. " Shrouded their weapons and retreated, taking the inaccurate sound of the bell as an unkind sign for themselves.Since then, noon in Brno conventionally always comes an hour earlier than it should. became the capital of Moravia, and its eternal rival Olomouc lost this status for several reasons, and one of them is 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 a certain similarity in this regard, of course, can also be found. The Brno residents 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 in a straight line 111, along the highway -144 km, and the city has forever captured the style and tastes of the old, its imperial pretentiousness and at the same time artistry, as well as its own custom - always to have a clear civic position. So, during the Hussite Wars (between 1419 and 1434), unlike many other cities of the Czech Republic, he remained loyal to King Sigismund, the Hussites twice besieged the city - 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 Bohemia, Brno remained faithful to the Catholic Church, gave shelter to many of its monastic orders, who 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. For the fact that people of various nationalities languished in the basements of Špilberk Castle, who got there mainly for political dissent in relation to 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. Skillful and hardworking artisans have always lived here, which was skillfully used by enterprising and agile German merchants. By the XIX century. Brno became the most important economic center of the Czech Republic. And although during the Second World War Brno was subjected to intense bombing, its inhabitants were able to quickly restore both the city itself and its industrial potential. Today Brno has a diversified industry, the priority in which belongs to heavy engineering. This does not mean that new, high-tech industries are not developing, since the two main Brno universities - Masaryk (named after Masaryk) and the Technical University, as well as other educational institutions produce excellent specialists and are actively conducting scientific research. Business people of Europe know the way to Brno well, for almost 80 years now, almost continuously, replacing one another or in parallel, various exhibitions and fairs have been held here. The area of the Brno Exhibition Center, which has existed since 1928, today is 196 thousand m2, and it is never empty.

ATTRACTIONS BRNO

■ Freedom Square (Lower Market) with a "plague" column crowned with a sculpture of St. Mary dedicated to the victory over the Swedes in the 17th century, the House of Lords on Lipa (Renaissance, late 16th century); House "At the Four Boobies" (neo-baroque, 1902); Vegetable market square with the Reduta theater (15th century) and the Parnassus fountain (17th century)

■ A ring of boulevards broken up in the 1860s. on the site of ancient city fortifications.

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

■ Churches: Saints Peter and Paul (Gothic, Neo-Gothic, XIII-XX centuries), St. Jacob (Gothic, Renaissance, XIII-XVI centuries) and his ossuary, Discovery of the Holy Cross (Baroque, XVII-XVIII centuries) and the monastery capuchins; St. John (John of Nepomuk, Baroque, XVIII century) and other places of worship.

■ 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 there.

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

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

■ Park on the Cow Hill, in it the Planetarium and the Observatory. N. Copernicus.

■ The system of karst caves Moravsky Kras.

■ Brno lake (reservoir), recreation area.

■ Nearby - the town of Slavkov, near which the Battle of Austerlitz took place

■ The people of Brno 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 rolled into Brno by a craftsman from Lednice, who bet that he would make and deliver it to the town hall in a day, and the distance there is 40 He won the dispute.The stuffed crocodile, according to legend, was presented to the city in the 17th century by a certain oriental trader.
■ Špilberk Castle is replete with legends, and they are all creepy. According to one legend, women who were unfaithful to their husbands were thrown into the basements of the castle, according to the other, women were only frightened by imprisonment, but they were always pardoned, according to the 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 tower of the Old Town Hall, the clock on the tower of Špilberk Castle chimes at noon at 11 am. In 2010, a six-meter clock, shaped like a sleeve, was installed on Svoboda Square. At 11:00 this clock is shot with a glass bullet, tourists who find themselves here at this hour are trying to catch an unusual souvenir. The glass bullet is by no means accidental. According to legend, the same General Torstensen, who vowed to take Brno before noon, is immortal, and only a glass bullet can finish him off.

Brno is an old Czech city 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 in it. An interesting fact is that almost the entire historical part of the city (starting from the 13th century) has survived 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 see all the architectural monuments and interesting places. At the same time, you can easily find all the sights of this city on your own, because most of them are located in the center or near train stations.

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

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

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

Various events are held in the courtyard of the town hall almost every day: concerts and exhibitions.

Building of the XIII century, located on Jacob's Square.

For several centuries, the church has undergone many renovations and will be very interesting for lovers of architecture and design, as it is a vivid example of the combination of Romanesque and Gothic styles.

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

The church is open to visitors from 8 am to 7 pm, at Jakubska, 11.

But it should be remembered that during baptisms, weddings and commemorations, entrance to the temple is strictly prohibited.

With the image of this castle, you will come across as soon as you get a coin of 10 crowns. At the sight of this powerful fortress with its picturesque surroundings, you will take your breath away and you will be amazed at the majestic size of this building. Various festivals and fencing competitions are often held here.

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

Open from 9.00 to 17.00, adult ticket - 90 kroons, children and discount tickets - 50 kroons.

Beer connoisseurs cannot do without a visit to the Starborno Brewery. Local beer is served on site, and there is also a restaurant and bar. This means that here you can taste 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 exists from the 18th century to the present day, with a brisk trade in vegetables, fruits and flowers. It works from early morning until late at night.

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

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

The main specialization of the museum is craft exhibitions and expositions that tell about the history of Moravia. Here you can also have a quick and inexpensive snack in one of the many cafes or bars.

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

The cathedral was erected on Petrov Hill in the 18th century; another historical landmark, the Bishop's Palace, is located nearby. Behind the church 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 Art Nouveau building in the Czech Republic of the 20th century, which is included in the UNESCO list as an object of world importance. 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).

It works 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 famous mummified Czechs and monks. In addition, a 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 modernity 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 are performed throughout the theatrical season. The reviews of those who visited the theater are always emotional and bright.

The theater is located on the territory of the Cabbage Market, you can get there by trams 4,8,9 from the main station.

The most beautiful secular 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 Brnenski Orloj clock, the 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 with children, then the first thing you just need to go to zoo, which accommodates more than one and a half thousand rare and outlandish animals.

In addition to the usual inspection, visit contact zoo where children will have the opportunity to communicate with the animal world (pet and feed animals, ride a pony, photography and video are allowed for a moderate fee - 10-30 CZK).

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

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

A visit to the miniature garden will be fascinating, which will be equally interesting for both children and adults.

Brno is an amazing place with a peculiar 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 remain for a long time!

Useful maps and videos

Take a look interactive map Brno attractions in Russian:

Take a look video about Brno:

2018-08-27

TOURISTS ANSWERS:

Brno is the former capital of the Great Moravian principality and the second city after Prague in importance and size in modern Bohemia. As part of Austria-Hungary, this South Moravian city was called Brunn. Nowadays, Brno is also called the "Moravian Paris" for the harmonious combination of diverse architecture, the beauty of squares and the comfort of 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 now the fortress is a museum, showing visitors the former casemates and dungeons of prisoners. The open-air music festival of the same name is held annually in the fortress.

The Špilberk hill offers stunning views of the city.

Another, official (!), Symbol of the city, more peaceful than a prison-fortress, despite its sharp teeth, is the Brno crocodile. His stuffed animal was brought from Turkey back in the seventeenth century, and since no one from the local residents had seen such creatures in life, they decided that it was a dragon. The crocodile is incredibly popular with the locals; in pastry shops you can even find small crocodile dragons made from marzipan and in the form of gingerbread.

An equally remarkable attraction is the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, towering over 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 tomb of the temple is also open to the public.

The Church of St. John, built in the late Gothic style, is also called the Red Church, thanks to the red brick masonry. This temple is very loved by the locals, 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 the square Zeleny Tyrkh there is a decorative reservoir called "Parnassus". This Baroque sculptural monument is unique in Brno.

The Dietrichstein Palace, built by order of Cardinal Dietrichstein, is also made in the Baroque style. Currently, there are expositions 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 the Moravian Square, was rebuilt from the former Augustinian monastery. Nowadays, part of the building is used as a museum. Adjacent to this building is the Church of St. Tomas (Thomas). A part of the exposition from the Moravian Gallery is also located here.

In general, in Brno, as in 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 building 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.

It is pleasant to wander around Brno, this provincial and completely non-tourist city, snatching with a glance or a camera lens from a 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.

Is the answer helpful?

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. Walk, as they say. Brno is an extremely cozy town! Walking around Brno is very pleasant, and even while away the evenings in local bars is even better. Better yet, rent a bike and cycle through the streets of the city. There are enough attractions in Brno, so it will not be possible to meet it in one day.

Spilberk Castle (Hrad Spilberk)

This castle has been more than just in its long history! It was both a residential building, and a military complex, and a prison ("prison of peoples"), and a museum, which it is now. The museum has permanent exhibitions that offer collections of prints, rooms with antique furniture, household items and more. Take a look into the kitchen and dungeon, former prison cells on the ground floor (today there is the Špilberk - Prison of Nations exhibition). Climb to the observation deck in the corner tower and admire the gorgeous views of the city - after all, the castle is located on a hill (the tower seems to be open only in summer). If you are hungry, go to the restaurant on the premises. After that, you can walk through the park that surrounds the castle, and the entire park is dotted with paths leading to the castle. The shortest 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 you may not be sold tickets later. The entrance costs about 3.5 €.

The address:Špilberk 210/1

Capuchin monastery (Klášter kapucínů)

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 are lying without coffins, just like that) - two bricks each (all according to the charter of the Capuchin monastic order). The air circulation system in the crypt is very interesting - that is why the bodies did not undergo decomposition and still look very ... cough ... good today. In addition, 150 bodies of the townspeople and aristocrats of the city are buried at the monastery. For example, of the most famous, Franz von Trenck, the commander of the Austrian army, who transferred most of his fortune to the Capuchin Order, rests here. His relics are kept in a glass coffin. The monastery is open from morning until 16:30 with a break at lunchtime. The monastery is closed from December 15 to February 14. For adults, a ticket costs about 2.5 €, for children and seniors - 1 €. You can take pictures in the monastery, but this is also paid. By the way, especially impressionable children and pregnant women do not enter the monastery at all. Preserved bones and bodies are definitely not a sight for the faint of heart.

The address: Kapucínské náměstí 303/5

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

This Gothic Cathedral stands on a hilltop in Brno. A very significant and famous architectural monument. This cathedral is visible from many points of 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 Kapistranka pulpit (a monk who preached in the cathedral in the middle of the 15th century. They say he healed people just 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 did not ring at noon, as usual, but earlier, at 11, and thus saved the city and the townspeople during the siege by the Swedes. Tourists can enter the tomb (though on weekdays only with the permission of the cathedral's management), the cathedral's treasury and the south tower, where you can climb up and offer a magnificent view of the city. If a service, wedding or funeral takes place in the cathedral, or some other religious holidays, the cathedral is naturally 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.

The address: Petrov 9

Old Town Hall (Stara Radnice)

It is the oldest secular building in Brno. Its peak is visible from afar. And besides, the town hall is beautiful. The figures of the squires who support the old coat of arms of Brno near the entrance to the Town Hall are impressive, and this, of course, is not all. There are many legends about this building among the people, which have already become fairy tales. The legend of the brand's dragon says that once a terrible dragon appeared in the city, harassing people and attacking livestock. One of the residents, who worked in a butcher shop, guessed to heal quicklime in the skin of an animal. The dragon killed the poisoned "animal", began to drink, the lime began to be extinguished and the dragon burst. Well, a stuffed scary monster was hung in the Old Town Hall. There is another legend called the “legend of the wheel”. She tells that in the small town of Lednice there lived a cheerful guy who once argued with friends who could knock down a tree, carve a wheel out of it and ride it to Brno. And yet the guy did everything he was arguing about, drove to the town hall, asked the priest for a confirmation paper and went home. These are the ridiculous and funny stories.

And the building is really beautiful. Climb the 60-meter observation tower and take in views of the city. And if you don't go inside, then at least admire the outside, and if you're lucky, you will find yourself at some cultural event held in front of the Town Hall (the cultural center of the city, everything). The town hall is open from April to September every day until late (sometimes until 10 pm).

The address: Radnická 368/8

Exhibition complex

This center hosts the largest exhibitions, conferences and fairs of the city, and 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 "Construction of the Century" for its unique design.

The address: Vystaviste 1

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

What can you see in Brno?

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

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

The castle had two main functions: defensive and residential. The king set up 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, Spielberg played the role of a prison, which was nicknamed the "Dungeon of Nations", since political prisoners were imprisoned there..

Now the castle is both a museum and a historical monument. It regularly organizes excursions for individual tourists and tourist groups. In summer, the Spielberg Gate is 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 composition of the fountain, you can see the goddess of Europe, then there are the statues of the three powers.

The vegetable market is still active today. It is visited by locals and visitors who spend their holidays in Brno.

Impressions from castles and squares are often erased from memory, but surprise at the quirks of nature remains in its nooks 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 of underground karst caves. The caves are located in the nature reserve of the same name near the town of Blansko, which borders on Brno.

The length of the underground tunnels is 25 kilometers. The total number of caves exceeds 1000, many of them have not yet been explored.

The following caves are open for visiting in the Moravian Karst:

Katarzhinskaya;
Balzarka;
Stolbno-Shoshuvskaya;
Punkva.

Bats and lizards live in the Kras dungeons, so you shouldn't visit these places alone. As part of an excursion group, it is much safer to explore the caves.

Church of Saints Peter and Paul

The magnificent Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul was built in the 13th century on the site of a former Roman church. The imposing spiers and vaults of the cathedral provided comfort to Brno when the city was besieged by the Swedes. Today the church is of no less importance to the townspeople.

There is a museum in the cathedral, there is a functioning information center, and organ concerts are also held. The building is located on Petrovaya Street and is open to visitors from 7 am.

Town Hall on Green Market Square

The old and richly decorated town hall is the heart of the city. Previously, it housed a court, a council, an institution that printed money. Now the city hall has a cultural center, which is indicated in all Brno guidebooks.

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

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

Art Nouveau Villa Tugendhat

The building is owned by the Tugendhat couple. For them, the villa was designed by Ludwig van der Roche in 1930. This building was listed by UNESCO as one of the best Art Nouveau houses.

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 guided tours.

Veveří castle on the bend of two rivers

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

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

During the warmer months, Veveži hosts concerts, celebrations and festivals. It is better to go to the castle by taxi or private car. You can order an excursion from Brno, then delivery to its gate will be carried out by a comfortable bus. The tour will cost a tourist 180 CZK, a single visit 30 CZK.