Brno is the second largest city of the Czech Republic that boasts great traditional values and many cultural and historical places. Established in the 14th century, it grew to become one of the main visited cities after Prague. Take this tour to explore some of its best spots, such as the Cathedral of St. Peter, and fully experience the beauty of this Medieval city.
1) Katedrála Sv. Petra a Pavla
The Katedrála Sv. Petra a Pavla (The Cathedral of Saint Peter and Paul) represents one of the most notable architectural and religious buildings in the city of Brno. The original holy place was initially built as a chapel in the 11th century, but it gradually transformed over the centuries, in a Baroque-style place of worship. Its main attractions are the two 84 meter-high towers and the magnificent Gothic interior.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Podzemnik
2) Zelný Trh Square
The Zelný Trh (The Vegetable Market Square) is situated in the heart of the city of Brno. The square was established in 13th century before the city itself. It is considered to be the largest square in the historical part of the town. It is always lively and teeming with people. The market's specialties are: vegetables, fruits and flower decorations.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Kirk
3) Divadlo Reduta
The Reduta Theatre (Divadlo Reduta) is one of the 3 buildings of the acclaimed National Theater of Bruno. The venue is listed among the oldest theatres in Brno. The theater is known for having had Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart perform on its premises in 1767. Nowadays the venue hosts regular concerts and different social events.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Petr Šmerkl
4) Kašna Parnas
The Kašna Parnas (The Parnas Fountain) dominates the Zelny Trh Square with its beauty designed by the famous Viennese architect JB Fischer von Erlach between the years 1691 and 1695. In the middle of the fountain there is an artificially made rocky cliff with a towering figure of Europe, in a triumphal pose on a conquered dragon.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and David Novák
5) Měnínská Brána
Měnínská Brána is the only preserved city gate of Brno located on Měnínská Street not so far from Náměstí Svobody (Freedom Square). Its roots go back to the 13th century, when it was part of city walls. In 1970, the place had been adjusted for exhibition purposes. At the present time, the building is managed by the Brno City Museum.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Kirk
6) Janacek Academy of Music
The Janáček Academy of Music is one of two academies of music and dramatic arts in the Czech Republic. It is named after Leoš Janáček, one of the most distinguished composers in modern European music, who was its spiritual father. It was founded in 1947, when the many years of effort, in the beginning, connected with the personality of Leoš Janáček finally bore fruit. Independent Music and Theatre Faculties were reestablished, a number of professors who had been unable to teach were brought back, young teachers were admitted to the staff, new fields of study were introduced and foreign contacts were initiated, and the institution soon gained wide recognition for its pioneering initiatives and impressive achievements. Honorary doctorates have been awarded to pianist Rudolf Firkušný, poet Ludvík Kundera, playwright Václav Havel and poet and actor Jiří Suchý, with the most recent going to the Czech-born British playwright Sir Tom Stoppard.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Kirk
Sight description based on wikipedia
7) Náměstí Svobody
Náměstí Svobody (The Freedom Square) is regarded as an imaginary center of the city. It has been mentioned in the city records for the first time in the 13th century with the name Forum Inferius. In Medieval times there were rich burghers and nobles that built homes around it and thus increased the importance of the square. In 1901, a tram line was built over the square; only a part of the track which led from the northern direction is preserved until now.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Nissan0
8) Masaryk University
Masaryk University is the second largest university in the Czech Republic, a member of the Compostela Group and the Utrecht Network. Founded in 1919 in Brno as the second Czech university, it now consists of nine faculties and 42,182 students. It is named after Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, the first president of an independent Czechoslovakia as well as the leader of the movement for a second Czech university. In 1960 the university was renamed Jan Evangelista Purkyně University after Jan Evangelista Purkyně, a Czech biologist. In 1990, following the Velvet Revolution, it regained its original name.
Image Courtesy of Flickr and ksyz
Sight description based on wikipedia
9) Ústavní Soud
The Ústavní Soud (The Constitutional Court) is a construction which dates back to the end of the 19th century with the name of Regional Assembly. Its was erected between 1874 and 1877, according to the architectural sketches of Anton and Robert Raschka. The building is done in neo-Renaissance style and the façade bears elements of northern Italian Renaissance. It houses the Constitutional Court since 1992.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Packa
10) Nová Radnice
The New Town Hall is a building complex located in front of the Dominican Square and it is also the site were city administration resides. The complex is of great historic and architectural importance to the city of Brno. Some of the buildings from the complex are very old and are closely tied in to the development of the city.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Dezidor
11) Špilberk Park
Špilberk Park is considered to be one of the largest green spots of Brno. It boasts a great variety of trees and plants. Here, we also find the Špilberk Castle and The Memorial to Italian Carbonari. It is a very popular place among the locals as it is a perfect spot for relaxation.
Image Courtesy of Flickr and Semmi
12) Špilberk Castle
Špilberk Castle is an old castle on the hilltop in Brno, Southern Moravia. From a major royal castle - established around the mid-13th century - and the seat of the Moravian margraves in the mid-14th century, it gradually turned into a huge Baroque fortress, the heaviest prison in the Austro-Hungarian empire and then the barracks. A prison had always constituted part of the Špilberk fortress. The Czechoslovak army left Špilberk in 1959, which marked a definite end to its military era. The following year, Špilberk became the seat of the Brno City Museum.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Pavel Ševela
Sight description based on wikipedia