Brno
is the second largest city of Czech Republic, representing the centre of Moravia.
It is situated at the crossroads of ancient trade routes. It is situated in a
beautiful countryside, surrounded by woods and Southern Moravian lowlands. The
city lies in the basin of the Svratka and Svitava rivers, at elevations ranging
from 190 to 425 meters (620 to 1395 ft) above sea level. It covers an area of
230 km2 (143 sq.miles) and spans from east to west about 22 km (13 miles). The
river Svratka cuts a 29 km (17 mile) path throught the city and is the main supply
for the Brno Dam Lake, a popular recreation area in the city's northwest corner.
The Svitava River flows through the city for about 13 kms (8 miles).
Brno
Dam -The dam was built during 1936 - 1940 on Svratka river. The lake is 19m
deep, 10 km long and 800m wide. The area is very popular by tourists, bike-riders,
sailors, rowers and fishermen. Apart beautiful nature surrounding the lake, it
is worth to visit the castle Veveri, religious place U tri krizu and natural reserve
Podkomorske lesy.
 The
Spilberk Castle, which creates a silhouette in the town, was originally a
Gothic palace with two chapels and later became a Baroque fort. In the 19th century
the dreaded prison for political prisoners - known as "The prison of the
nations" was built there.The Gothic St. Peter and Paul's Cathedral
dominates Petrov Hill. At the beginning of the 16th century an original
portal of the Old Town Hall with a Gothic vial was built in Brno. A number
of other historical buildings should be mentioned, such as the monastery buildings
of clerical orders, the Parnas Baroque-naturalistic Fountain, the Episcopal
Courtyard, Renaissance palaces of the nobility from Lipe and Kunstat,
St. Jacob's Church and the Hausper´s Palace, which is now
a residence of the "Husa na provazku" Theatre.
Brno also
became a significant center of modern architecture. The Klein's Palace
was built in a modern style at the end of the 19th century (cast-iron elements,
flush toilet, etc.). The Mahen´s Theatre was the first theatre to
use electricity. Structures, which were built in the Secession, Early Modernism
and functionalism style, are among the most important ones in the country.
It
is impossible to miss out on the Tugendhat Villa, which is an excellent
example of the functionalist style of European significance dating from 1929,
designed by the German architect Mies van der Rohe. Also the complex of unified
buildings of the Brno Exhibition Center from the period between the thirties
and sixties belongs to this style. About 50 trade fairs are organized here annually.
Brno also offers lots of attractive destinations outside the town center - such
as the Zoo Park, a botanical garden, an arboretum and large garden
parks. The motor-racing circuit with a new Masaryk´s circuit hosts the World
Motorcycling Championship known as the Grand Prix of the Czech Republic.
 Mikulov
- this originally serfdom town arose near the land castle in the southwest area
of the Pavlovske vrchy highland. The preserved cannon tower in Kozi hradek
reminds of a former town fortification. The castle was re-built as a luxurious
baroque chateau. This chateau along with the Renaissance tower of St. Vaclav´s
Church and the chapel on the hill of Svaty kopecek create dominant
features the town panorama.
It was mainly viticulture and trade, which
flourished here due to the advantageous location and climate conditions of the
town. Mikulov was celebrated for its religious tolerance, such as towards "Baptists"
or to Jews. The town of Mikulov was a residence of the land rabbinate in the period
from 17th till 19th century. The large Jewish ghetto along with a synagogue and
a Jewish cemetery are worth to mention. Also the Lorety Church, which was
modified as a Dietrichstein family tomb in the 19th century, ranks among a number
of sights. At present, Mikulov is well known especially as a town of vine.
Slavkov
u Brna - this town dates from the 12th century. The baroque chateau, which
was built around 1700, includes a chateau exhibition and a museum of the Napoleon's
wars. The town, which boasts late Gothic and renaissance houses, is well known
for the famous "Battle of Three Emperors" (2 December 1805). |
