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Brno
City
View of Brno from the Špilberk castle.
Flag Coat of arms
Country	Czech Republic
Region	South Moravian
District	Brno-City
Parts	29  - Bohunice  - Bosonohy  - Bystrc  - Brno-Center  - Černovice  - Chrlice  - Ivanovice  - Jehnice  - Jundrov  - Kníničky  - Kohoutovice  - Komín  - Královo Pole  - Líšeň  - Maloměřice and Obřany  - Medlánky  - Brno-North  - Nový Lískovec  - Ořešín  - Řečkovice and Mokrá Hora  - Slatina  - Brno-South  - Starý Lískovec  - Tuřany  - Útěchov  - Vinohrady  - Žabovřesky  - Žebětín  - Židenice
Rivers	Svitava, Svratka
Elevation	237 m (778 ft)
Coordinates	49°12′N 16°37′E / 49.2°N 16.617°E / 49.2; 16.617
Highest point
- elevation	425 m (1,394 ft)
Lowest point
- elevation	190 m (623 ft)
Area	230.19 km2 (88.9 sq mi)
- land	225.73 km2 (87 sq mi)
- water	4.46 km2 (2 sq mi)
- metro	3,170 km2 (1,224 sq mi)
Population	405,337 (December 11, 2009) [1]
- metro	729,510
Density	1,761 /km2 (4,561 /sq mi)
Founded	1243
Mayor	Roman Onderka (ČSSD)
Postal code	602 00
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Name	Tugendhat Villa in Brno
Year	2001 (#25)
Number	1052
Region	Europe and North America
Criteria	ii, iv
Location in the Czech Republic
Wikimedia Commons: Brno
Statistics: MVCR
Website: www.brno.cz

Brno (Czech pronunciation: [ˈbr̩no]  ( listen); German: Brünn) is the second largest city in the Czech Republic, located in the southeast of the country. It was founded in 1243, although the area had been settled since the 5th century. As of December 2009 the population is 405,337. Brno is the capital of the South Moravian Region as well as the seat of the Constitutional Court of the Czech Republic, the Supreme Court, the Supreme Administrative Court, the Supreme Prosecutor's Office and the Ombudsman.

Geography

Brno is located in the southeastern part of the country, at the confluence of the Svitava and Svratka rivers. The city is a political and cultural hub of the South Moravian Region (estimated population of 1,130,000 for the whole region). At the same time, it represents the centre of the province of Moravia, one of the historic lands of the Bohemian Crown. It is situated at the crossroads of ancient trade routes which have joined northern and southern European civilizations for centuries. Due to its location between the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands and the Southern Moravian lowlands, Brno has a moderate climate.

Etymology

The etymology of the name Brno is disputed. It most likely comes from Old Czech brnen, brno 'muddy, swampy.'^[2] Alternative explanations derive it from a Slavic verb brniti (to armor or to fortify) or a Celtic language spoken in the area before it was overrun by Slavic and Germanic peoples (this theory would make it cognate with other Celtic words for hill, such as the Welsh word bryn). Throughout its history, Brno's locals also used to refer to the town in other languages, including Brünn in German, ברין in Yiddish and Bruna in Latin.

Administrative division

The city of Brno is divided into 29 city districts:

History

St. Michael's church, Brno

Brno as such was acknowledged to be a town in 1243 by Václav I, King of Bohemia, but the area itself had been settled since the 5th century. From the 11th century, a castle of the governing Přemyslid dynasty stood here, and was the seat of the non-ruling prince.

During the mid-14th century Brno became one of the centres for the Moravian regional assemblies, whose meetings alternated between Brno and Olomouc. These regional authority bodies made decisions on political, legal, and financial questions. They were also responsible for the upkeep of regional records.

During the Hussite Wars, the city remained faithful to King Zikmund. The Hussites twice laid siege to the city, once in 1428 and again in 1430, both times in vain.

During the Thirty Years' War, in 1643 and 1645, Brno was the only city to successfully defend itself from Swedish sieges, thereby allowing the Austrian Empire to reform their armies and to repel the Swedish pressure. In recognition of its services, the city was rewarded with a renewal of its city privileges. In the years following the Thirty Years' War, the city became an impregnable baroque fortress. In 1742, the Prussians vainly attempted to conquer the city, and the position of Brno was confirmed with the establishment of a bishopric in 1777. In 1805, The Battle of Austerlitz took place 6 miles southeast of Brno.

In the 18th century, development of industry and trade began to take place, which continued into the next century. Soon after the industrial revolution, the town became one of the industrial centres of Moravia — sometimes it even being called the "Moravian Manchester". In 1839, the first train arrived in Brno. Together with the development of industry came the growth of the suburbs, and the city lost its fortifications, as did the Spielberg fortress, which became a notorious prison to where not only criminals were sent, but also political opponents of the Austrian Empire. Gas lighting was introduced to the city in 1847 and a tram system in 1869. Mahen Theatre in Brno was the first building in the world to use Edison's electric lamps.

During the "First Republic" (1918–1938) Brno continued to gain importance — it was during this period that Masaryk University was established (1919), the state armoury and automotive factory Československá státní zbrojovka Brno was established (1919), and the Brno Fairgrounds were opened in 1928 with an exhibition of contemporary culture. The city was not only a centre of industry and commerce, but also of education and culture. Famous people who lived and worked in the city include Gregor Mendel, Leoš Janáček, Viktor Kaplan, Jiří Mahen, and Bohuslav Fuchs. Milan Kundera was born here, leaving to Prague to pursue his university studies and never come back.

In 1939 Brno was annexed by Nazi Germany along with the rest of Moravia and Bohemia. After the war, the ethnic German population was expelled or killed.

Historical population

Brno today

Augustinian Monastery and Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady, Brno

St. Peter and Paul Cathedral

Courtyard of the Špilberk Castle

Gate of the Old City Hall. The portal was designed by Anton Pilgram

Dominikánská Street in the city centre

Villa Tugendhat by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

Brno Exhibition Centre

• The Brno Exhibition Centre is the city's premier attraction for international business visitors. Annually, over one million visitors attend over 40 professional trade fairs and business conferences held here. The exhibition and convention industry contributes heavily to the region’s economy. Thanks to its excellent infrastructure and modern facilities, the Brno Exhibition Centre has a prominent position in the region.
• Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts, named for Leoš Janáček, was founded in 1947 and is one of two academies of music and drama in the Czech Republic.^[3] It holds the annual Leoš Janáček Competition.^[4]
• Masaryk University, located in Brno, is the second largest public university in the Czech Republic and the largest in Moravia. Today, it consists of nine faculties, with more than 190 departments, institutes and clinics. It is recognised as one of the most significant institutions for education and research in the Czech Republic and a respected Central European university with democratic traditions advocated since its establishment in 1919.^{[citation needed]}
• Špilberk Castle, originally a royal castle, but from the 17th century a fortress and feared prison e.g. Carbonari) is one of the city's principal monuments,^[5] as is the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul. The cathedral was built during the 14th and 15th centuries.^[6]
• The town has a long history of motor racing. Since 1968, Brno has been a permanent fixture on the European Touring Car Championship (ETCC) series. The road course ceased use at the end of 1986, when all motorsport activities resumed at the new permanent Masaryk Circuit, which was completed in 1985. Among other events, it hosts the Moto GP series.^[7][8]
• Ignis Brunensis, an international fireworks competition, is held each June. The show attracts more than 1,000,000 spectators each year.^[9][10]
• Villa Tugendhat, an example of functionalistic architecture designed by Mies van der Rohe built in the late 1920s close to the centre of the city, was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2001.^[11] Another renowned architect who significantly shaped Brno was Arnošt Wiesner. Many of his functionalistic buildings can be found all around the city.^[12][13][14]
• In the 1990s, after more than 70 years of discussion, the city council decided to build a new main train station farther from the centre of the town and to develop a more modern area of the town, which is currently occupied by train track. This plan has been criticised for its possible economical and ecological consequences. The whole Brno railway junction is to be reconstructed, which is very complicated due to its 170 years of development since the first train came to Brno from Vienna in 1839. The construction is projected to finish in 2017. After municipal elections in autumn 2006 this project has been put on hold by new city leadership and it appears that an upgraded main station in the city centre will be reconsidered.^{[citation needed]}
• The Brno University of Technology, established in 1899, has been developing the Czech Technology Park since 1995.^{[citation needed]}
• Every September, Brno is home to a large wine festival (Slavnosti vína) to celebrate the harvest in the surrounding wine-producing region.^[15]
• Hantec is a unique dialect that originated in Brno, however most people only know a few words.^{[citation needed]}
• Brno is the home to the highest courts in the Czech judiciary. The Supreme Court is on Burešova Street, the Supreme Administrative Court is on Moravské náměstí (English: Moravian Square), and the Constitutional Court is on Joštova Street.^{[citation needed]}
• Brno is home to a Synagogue and one of the largest Jewish Cemeteries in Moravia. A Jewish population lived in Brno as early as the 13th century, and remnants of tombstones can be traced back to as early as 1349.^[16] The functionalist synagogue was built between 1934 and 1936.^[16] While there were 12,000 members of the Brno Jewish community in 1938, only 1,000 survived the Nazi persecution during Germany's occupation in World War II.^[16] Today, the cemetery and synagogue are maintained by a Brno Jewish community once again.

Transport

Public Transport

Public transport infrastructure consists of 13 tram (streetcar), 11 trolleybus, 36 day buses, 11 night bus lines and 1 ship (dam) routes. Service is provided mainly by Dopravní Podnik Města Brna (Brno City Transportation Company). Planned light rail line, which will run in a tunnel through the city centre, should minimize congestion of surface streetcars.

Rail

Brno lies on the main rail route connecting Prague and Vienna. Regular rail services operate along this section including the fast Supercity Pendolino tilting trains.

Air

Brno is served by Czech Airlines (codeshared by Air France, KLM, Alitalia and Aeroflot), Ryanair, Atlant Soyuz and Smart Wings from Brno-Tuřany Airport.

Weather and Climate

Climate statistics:

• Average annual temperature: 9.4 °C (48.9 °F)
• Absolute maximum temperature: 36.2 °C (97.2 °F) (1952 and 1957)
• Absolute minimum temperature: −26.4 °C (−15.5 °F) (1920)
• Average summer temperatures (June-August): 17.8 °C (64.0 °F)
• Average winter temperatures (December-February): 1.0 °C (33.8 °F)
• Average annual precipitation: 505 mm (19.9 in)
• Average annual sunlight duration: 1771 h
• Average number of precipitation days per year: 150
• Warmest month: July
• Coldest month: January
• Typical wind: Northwest

International relations

Twin towns—Sister cities

These are the official twin cities of Brno:^[17]

See also

• Asteroid 2889 Brno, named after the city
• Bren light machine gun, famous gun of World War II
• Churches of Brno
• National Theatre (Brno)
• Villa Tugendhat

Notes

External links

• Brno — Official Web site
• Brno Now — latest news for expats working, studying or doing business in Brno, Czech Republic
• Tourist Information Center Brno
• Brno at the official website of the Czech Republic.
• Brno for me — tourist guide with plenty of photos

Administrative seats of Czech regions  Brno • České Budějovice • Hradec Králové • Jihlava • Karlovy Vary • Liberec • Ostrava • Olomouc • Pardubice • Plzeň • Prague • Ústí nad Labem • Zlín

From Wikitravel

Brno[1][2] (German: Brünn) is a major city of the Moravia region in the Czech Republic. It is the largest city in South Moravia, the second largest city in the Czech Republic by population and the third largest city by area. The city celebrated 750 years of "city status". It was founded around year 1000. Brno is the cultural and administrative center of South Moravia. The Supreme Court of the Czech Republic is situated here as well as many other important authorities. Its population is around 380,000 people.

Sculpture above Brno Town Hall, with the Brno Dragon suspended beneath.

Get in

By train

From Vienna (Austria - 156 km), Prague (Praha - 250 km), Ostrava (172 km), Bratislava (Slovakia - 140 km) and also from number of smaller local towns as Česká Třebová and Jihlava. The Brno Central Station is located close to (10min walk) the center of town, with Náměstí svobody (Square of Freedom), Petrov (old town with cathedral), Vaňkovka (large shopping center) and other attractions just within a few minutes walk. Brno is an important stop on the Prague to Vienna / Bratislava railway line; all Eurocity and Intercity trains stop here.

By car

Using highways - Ostrava, Bratislava, D1 highway from Prague or using any of a national roads. For the highway you have to buy a toll sticker.

200km from Prague airport

By coach

There are coach services from various European destinations including Prague.

Czech Airlines has a coach service from Prague to Brno.

Time table for all buses including international you can find on [3]. Page is in Czech, English and German.

Student Agency is based in Brno and is probably the most comfortable service. There are more than 24 buses per day between Prague and Brno.

By air

There's an international airport [4] at Brno-Tuřany with regular international services to London-Stansted (Ryanair, 1 flight/day), Moscow-Vnukovo (Atlant-Soyuz Airlines/SmartWings, twice a week) and domestic service to Prague (Czech Airlines(CSA), 4 flights a day). There is a frequent (every 30 minutes from aprox. 4:30AM to 11:30PM) public transport service (bus Nr. 76 [5]) connecting the airport with the regional and national bus station and the main train station in the center of the city. Fare is CZK 22, ticket buy beforehand in the information centre or ticket machine in the airport.

By boat

A unconventional, but beautiful way how to get to Brno (from it's periphery) is to take a cruiser at Veverská Bitýška village, which would take you (in summer season only) on a trip across Brněnská přehrada (Brno dam lake) to Brno-Bystrc.

Get around

The Integrated Transport System of the Southern Moravia Region (IDS JMK) operates all over the city and in the major part of the Southern Moravia Region; it includes trains, trams, buses and trolley-buses. You can travel around the city using a single ticket, the price differing depending on the number of zones you cross and time of expiration (10, 60, 90 minutes tickets are most common, starting at €0,40 for 10 mins, 0,60 for 60 mins [6]). In most places you can get transportation within 15 minutes (daytime). A number of taxi companies are operating in Brno city too. After 11pm the trams stop and the night buses start. Catch any of night buses at the main station on the hour.

There are yellow ticket vending machines at the larger bus and tram stations. All kinds of tickets you can buy at the railway station offices too. You can buy short-term tickets, but also 1, 3, 7 and 30 days passes. The price for a 3 day pass in January 2008 is CZK 130 (approx. €5). The vending machines accept coins only (some of them do not accept 50 CZK coin). In the non-working days the 1 day pass is valid together for 2 adults and 3 children up to 15 years.

If you experience any difficulties, visit one of the Tourist Information Centres located in city center, i.e. at Radnická street or Nádražní street. The Public Transport Information Centre is located near the Main Train Station at 18, Novobranska street (open Mo - Fr 6 am - 8 pm).

• The City center is full of historical buildings, old churches, theaters, fountains, sculptures, clubs, restaurants, etc. It is very compact, so one can just walk around most of the places of interest.

Freedom Square

• Špilberk Castle, the famous fortress used as a prison. Many people have been tortured here from all around Europe, mostly during Austro-Hungarian Empire times. Currently, it's a museum with restaurant and nice park around, open for walks and beautiful sightseeings.

• Petrov Cathedral, 10 minutes walk from city center. Its silhouette is the defining feature of the Brno skyline.

• Old Town Hall, between the Cathedral, nám. Svobody, and the main station. See beloved Brno symbols the Drak (dragon) and the Wheel. Also notice the lopsided tower above the entrance. Legend has it that the city council stiffed the mason who built it and he made the crooked ornament in a fit of pique.

• Náměstí svobody (Freedom Square) forms the heart of the city. It's shaped into big reversed "A". Many cultural events take place here and there are always a lot of people here. This place is closed for most cars and trams run through the middle. Also most of the interesting places at city center are within 10 minutes walk from Freedom Square.

Villa Tugendhat, on the UNESCO World Heritage List and in the suburbs of Brno.

• The Tugendhat Villa, Černopolní 45, 613 00 Brno, +420 545 212 118, [7]. 20min walk from the town center, is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is seen to be a classic example of Bauhaus architecture, and was also the location of the meeting which decided upon the Velvet Divorce that separated the Czech and Slovak republics in 1992. It is possible to visit the Villa by guided tour; tours are led hourly and can be booked by arriving at the gate.

• Vaňkovka Gallery, a very large shopping centre converted from an old industrial center dating to the beginning of 19th century. Many of the historical industrial buildings were saved and integrated into the new shopping center.

• Capuchin Church is a monastery from 17th Century right in the city center. Tourists love to visit the church, because of its Baroque statues and an exhibition of mummified monks.

• Baroque Parnas fountain from 16th century, located at "Zelný trh" a square with a fruit and vegetable market above Masaryk street (central street leading into Freedom Square).

• At the top of the square you can find The Moravian Museum [8] - second largest and oldest museum in the Czech Republic. It was founded in 1817 by Emperor Francis I and, today, has collections with millions of objects from different fields of human history.

• The Moravian Gallery, [9]. The second largest art museum in the Czech Republic. Mainly exhibits Moravian art and applied art thoughout history. Most recommended is its exhibition of modern Moravian art.

• The Mendel Museum of Genetics, [10]. The most famous biologist in the history of genetics worked and died in Brno. This interesting museum commemorates his revolutionary research. Information in English available.

• Museum of Gypsy Culture, [11]. A museum dedicated to the gypsy minority in Moravia.

• Tourist Information Centres are located in the city center, i.e. at Radnická street or Nádražní street.

Do

Visit the city celebration [12], held annually, which includes many family activities, including known as "Brno, the city in the center of Europe" .

• Visit Ignis Brunensis, fireworks competition. There are four on the dam lake and at least two in the town centre. The fireworks begin everytime at 22:30. The show takes about 22 minutes. The public transport runs at those times longer and more frequently. During the festival there are nights of theatres and museums. The entrance is free, but expect crowds.
• Visit Grand Prix Brno, the Moto GP event.
• Brno Racing Circuit - Masaryk Curcuit [13]
• Visit an exhibition by your choice at BVV (Brno Trade and Fair Centre), the largest trade center in Central European region with many important fairs. The largest are Autosalon, MSV (International Engineering Fair), Invex (International Fair of Information and Communication Technologies), IDET (International Exhibition of Defence and Security Technologies and Special Information Systems) and of course a Vinex (International Wine Fair) and Pivex (International Beer Fair).
• Visit one of many theaters in the city. They are well known even by many tourists, who comes even just to visit them.

Buy

Try city center or Vaňkovka Gallery for pleasure and general-purpose shopping. If you want more variety, try one of the many hyper-sized shopping centers typically located at on the edge of the city.

Eat

Czech food is mostly based around pork and potatoes. A Czech favorite is smažený sýr, fried cheese, which is available at many restaurants and fast food stands. A good option is to visit one of the many pubs or restaurants that usually offer traditional Czech food all day long. You could easily find a restaurant where you get a meal and a drink for around €5, even in the city center. Many of these places also offer cheaper special (limited, already prepared) menus at mid-day. Cafés offer a nice selection of rolls and pastries if you're looking for breakfast food. Visit the cukrárna near the House of the Four Idiots on nam. Svobody and try a rakvička ("little coffin", small pastry covered with cream). This is the only place in the Czech Republic to find the chocolate ones. You can find other tips for restaurants and pubs on Brno101, [14].

Drink

The traditional Brno beer is Starobrno, traditional non-alcoholic drink is kofola (a very different but captivating kind of cola). Both must be tasted in draught form! Dark beer (pivo cerny) is sweet and not very common here. There is a small private brewery named Pegas[15], a block west from the steeple of St James Church (sv. Jakub). The pub is equipped with modern brewing technologies, beer is made right in front of the guests' eyes. For night life try Charlie's (Hat), east on Koblizna street from the north end of Freedom Square. See a list of clubs and pubs recommended by a local guy [16].

Sleep

There are many hotels all around Brno city. You can compare and choose hotels on *Brno Hotels Directory [17].

• Hotel Santander. Offers a luxurious accommodation in 13 double rooms, 1 single room and 1 suite with a fireplace in a comfortable environment of a new restored stylish villa dating from the beginning of the 20th century. The villa is in the vicinity of the exhibition area BVV (10 minutes walk) and has an enclosed parking lot on the hotel premises.

• Hotel Continental [18]. Offers some value at ~ CZK 1550 per night.

• Hotel Slavia is very good for city centre.

• Holiday Inn is good if you are visiting the exhibition centre, otherwise you will need a taxi to centre.

• Hotel Royal Ricc is a very nice romantic hotel.

• Hotel Garni Vinařská [19], the student dormitory annex hotel on the premises of Masaryk University, Vinařská 5. Tel. +420 549 492 713 or hotel@skm.muni.cz.

Get out

Moravia has a dense cluster of nearby sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List

• Olomouc: a fine historic university town, with an impressive Plague Column (1,5 hour trip)
• Telč is one of the prettiest towns in the Czech Republic (2 hours trip)
• Lednice-Valtice is one of the largest artificial landscapes in Europe dotted with Palaces and Follies (1 hour trip)
• Třebíč has one of Europe's best preserved Jewish areas (1,5 hour trip)
• Žďár nad Sázavou contains a fine pilgrimage church (1,5 hour trip)
• Kroměříž: an impressive baroque chateau and formal flower gardens (2 hours trip)
• Beautiful caves near Blansko [20]with boat trip inside the cave (45 minute trip)

Places near Brno - trips less than one hour

• Battlefield Austerlitz (City Slavkov u Brna)
• Castles: Pernstejn, Bucovice, Slavkov u Brna

Other places

• Vienna is easily accessible as a day trip by train or bus (return ticket by train 33 €, by bus 14 €)
• Bratislava is less than an hour away

Staying Safe

Avoid the main train station after dark as it attracts a number of unsavory characters, the usual caution applies. Also keep a keen eye out when using Automated Teller Machines in the immediate area for similar reasons.

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

English

Proper noun

Wikipedia has an article on:

Brno

Wikipedia

Brno

1. a city in the south of the Czech Republic

Translations

Anagrams

• Anagrams of bnor
• born

Czech

Pronunciation

•  audio^{help, file}

Proper noun

Brno n.

1. Brno