Brno

[kokpit]

Brno (380 000 inhab.) represents the centre of the province of Moravia, one of the historic lands of the Czech Crown. It is situated at the crossroads of ancient trade routes which have joined the North and South European civilizations for centuries.

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The second largest town in the country and Moravia traditional capital, Brno was also the historic seat of the Přemyslid dynasty. King Wenceslas I awarded Brno municipal status as early as 1243.

The city’s skyline is dominated by the Špilberk castle, where an early-Gothic palace with two chapels is still standing. Later on, the castle was converted into a baroque fortress, and in the 19th century, it became known as the infamous “Jail of Nations”. The Petrov hill is topped by the Gothic cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul. At the beginning of the 16th century, the Old Town City Hall portal was built, featuring a late Gothic peculiarity – a crooked pinnacle. Worth at least a brief mention are other historical buildings – the monastery and convent buildings of religious orders, the Parnas fountain in the Baroque-naturalist style, the bishop’s court, the Renaissance palace of the Lords of Lipá and Kunštát, church of St. Jakub (James), and the Hausperg Palace, nowadays the seat of the Goose on a String Theater.

Look towards Peter and Paul Cathedral, about 1920
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Brno is also a major center of modern architecture. The late-19th century Klein Palace was among the first structures built with modern technology (cast iron features, flushable toilets); the Mahen Theater was the first theater in the country to use electricity throughout the building. Among other prominent buildings are Art Nouveau, early modernist and functionalist structures. German architect Mies van der Rohe’s 1929 villa Tugendhat is an outstanding example of functionalist architecture and a milestone in the development of modern architecture worldwide. Among other modernist landmarks is the Brno Exhibition Center, whose set of buildings (built over the period of forty years, from 1930s to 1960s) makes up a harmonious whole; over 50 fairs and exhibitions take place here annually.

Villa Tugendhat on UNESCO's World Heritage List

website

towards Petrov
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Old town hall
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symbols of the city: dragon or crocodile (for people in Middle Ages the same) and the wheel
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The Cabbage square and Imos
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Capuchin cloister


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This house is dubbed "at four dullards" :-)
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Janáček and to him dedicated theater
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Augustinian Monastery and Basilica of the Assuption of the Virgin Mary - the oldest part of Brno


Moravian gallery
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Inside one of Brno churches


Fair trades
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Mahen theater
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virtual tour

Špilberg castle
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Constitucional Court
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[mic of Orion]

very nice

[mic of Orion]

waht about Ostrava?

[bubach_hlubach]

the city looks amazing. thanks for these beautiful photos.

[kokpit]

Originally Posted by mic of Orion

waht about Ostrava?

Ostrava is quite industrial, many derricks and heavy industry at peripheries, but centre is quite interesting and suburbs as well. It's not usual czech city in the intent that substantial part of the city was built after WWI. It has very special atmosphere and I like it, it's poetic.
In some time I could try to find some photos but it won't be easy...

[Kommandant Mark]

Looks a lot like Ljubljana, and the fair reminds me of Novi Sad.
I like it

By the way, how are the transport connections between Prague & Brno?
How much time is needed by train or bus? What sort of trains operate between them?

[kokpit]

Originally Posted by Kommandant Mark

Looks a lot like Ljubljana, and the fair reminds me of Novi Sad.
I like it

By the way, how are the transport connections between Prague & Brno?
How much time is needed by train or bus? What sort of trains operate between them?

There is a highway 200km long, so it depends how fast and when are you going, it can take from 1hr ( ) to several hours, because traffic jams are ususal there in rush hours.

[Kommandant Mark]

I don't think Id pay to rent a car while in Czech Republic , so thats why I was asking about trains or buses

[kokpit]

..and the bus, yes. Normaly it takes about 2hrs 20mins. And by train with pendolino it takes about same time despite it goes longer distance and stops at few stations.

[SinCity]

Magnificent. Thanks Kokpit.

[kokpit]

nice firework over Špilberk

[Бане]

What a beauty.

ps. There is some strange rule on this forum, that you have to specify the name of the country in your title. So you have to say Czech Republic, beside Moravia.

[NEWWORLD]

Wow Brno looks great. Great pictures, beautiful city.

[kokpit]

I was born there so it must be true

[e2ek1el]

thanx for your photoz, kokpit, nice thread about city centre !! Brno is imo one of the most underrated cities here, even if, regarding to its size, it isnt comparable with Bratislava or Baltic states capitals.