- Area: 225.73 km² (87 sq mi)
- Calling Code: + 420
- Currency: Czech koruna (CZK)
- Population (EST): 729,510
- Official language: Czech
- Time Zone: CET (UTC+1)
Brno – Places to Visit
Špilberk Castle
For over 700 years, Špilberk Catsle has dominated the Brno skyline. It was established in the 13th century by the Czech king Otokar II of Bohemia. The castle has undergone many changes, firstly being the seat of Morovian royal power. It then became a huge and infamous baroque fortress, the heaviest prison in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It came to be known as the ‘dungeon of nations’. Today, Špilberk is a well-preserved fortress that serves as a permanent exhibition of old documents and various memorabilia from its varied past. The Brno City Museum is now found here, and the castle became a national heritage monument in 1962.
Old Town Hall
The oldest secular building in Brno. Beautiful Cistercian-Burgundy architecture from France adorns the entrance, and goes back to the first half of the 13th century. A gothic Gate adorns one part of the building, dating back to the 1500s. Legends and folklore are closely tied to the Old Town Hall, and strange artefacts can be found inside it such as the Brno Dragon and the Wooden Wheel.
Capuchin Crypt and Church
Situated on Capuchin Square, this 17th century monastery is a tourist favourite, complete with baroque statues and mummified monks from the Capuchin Order that lie in an underground tomb. The builders of the crypt are also buried here, as is Baron Trenck, a former Špilberk prisoner.
Cathedral of St Peter and Paul – Petrov Cathedral.
The cathedral cuts a dominating silhouette over the city sat at the top of Petrov hill. Built on the site of the original Brno Castle dating back to the 11th century, the Romanesque basilica was rebuilt as a Gothic cathedral in the 13th century and converted to the Baroque style in the 18th century. A beautiful piece of architecture, and admission to the cathedral is free.
Moravian Karst (25km away)
Just 25km from Brno city lies the Moravian Karst, a breathtaking natural reserve, featuring more than 1100 caverns and gorges. 4 of these are open to the public with entrance fee, in which you will see underground rivers, incredible limestone columns and colourful immense stalactites that hang from the ceiling. The area is crisscrossed with walking and cycle trails.
