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Brno

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Brno is a large and lively city in the Czech Republic.

Brno - Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul II
Brno - Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul II

It sits in the South Moravian Region where two rivers meet. These rivers are called the Svitava and the Svratka. About 403,000 people call this city their home. This makes it the second-largest city in the whole country.

Brno, hlavní nádraží a tramvaje
Brno, hlavní nádraží a tramvaje

The wider metropolitan area is even bigger with 730,000 people.

Today, the city is a very important place for learning and law. It is a hub for higher education with 10 different universities. There are also 29 university faculties for students to study in. More than 65,000 students live and learn in the city.

Kampus 2 (Fotoarchiv RMU)
Kampus 2 (Fotoarchiv RMU)

Brno is also a center for the Czech judiciary. This means important courts and legal offices are located here. You can find the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court in the city.

Justiční palác v Brně
Justiční palác v Brně

The history of this place goes back a very long time. Scientists found mammoth bones and old tools from 15,000 years ago nearby.

Mince 10Kč vzor 2003 rubová strana
Mince 10Kč vzor 2003 rubová strana

In the Middle Ages, Brno was a very important seat of power. It served as the capital of Moravia for many centuries. In 1243, it became a royal city with a special charter.

Znak Moravského markrabství
Znak Moravského markrabství

Long ago, merchants even built deep cellars under the market to store food. These cellars are now a place called the Labyrinth Under the Vegetable Market.

Brno has many famous landmarks that you can see today.

Lo Spielberg (xilografia)
Lo Spielberg (xilografia)

Špilberk Castle sits high up and looks over the whole city. The Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul is another famous sight on Petrov Hill.

Brno - Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul II
Brno - Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul II

There is also the beautiful Villa Tugendhat, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For people who love big events, the Brno Exhibition Centre is one of the largest in Europe.

Building of JIC
Building of JIC

The city also hosts a famous fireworks and drone show called Ignis Brunensis. This show brings over a million visitors to the city every year.

Ignis Brunensis 2010 Montage 1
Ignis Brunensis 2010 Montage 1

Many things we know about science and travel started here. A monk named Gregor Mendel studied pea plants at a local abbey.

Zemědělská 1, Brno
Zemědělská 1, Brno

His work helped us understand how living things pass traits to their children. In 1839, the first train arrived in Brno from Vienna.

Brno, hlavní nádraží a tramvaje
Brno, hlavní nádraží a tramvaje

This was the very start of rail transport in the Czech Republic. The city also had the first tram service in the country.

Tram horse tram Brno
Tram horse tram Brno

Even the name of a small space rock, asteroid 2889 Brno, comes from this city.

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🖼️ Images & Media (32)
File:Mince 10Kč vzor 2003 rubová strana.jpg
Mince 10Kč vzor 2003 rubová strana.jpg
File:Znak Moravského markrabství.png
Znak Moravského markrabství.png
File:Veduta z obléhání Brna Švédy v roce 1645.jpg
Veduta z obléhání Brna Švédy v roce 1645.jpg
File:Veduta Brna se znakem Markrabství moravského, rok 1670.jpg
Veduta Brna se znakem Markrabství...
File:La bataille d'Austerlitz. 2 decembre 1805 (François Gérard) (cropped, 1to1 portrait).jpg
La bataille d'Austerlitz. 2 decembre 1805...
File:Lo Spielberg (xilografia).jpg
Lo Spielberg (xilografia).jpg
File:Brno, hlavní nádraží a tramvaje.jpg
Brno, hlavní nádraží a tramvaje.jpg
File:Czechoslovakia 1930 linguistic map - en.svg
Czechoslovakia 1930 linguistic map - en.svg
File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-2004-0813-500, Deutsche Truppen in Brünn.jpg
Bundesarchiv Bild 183-2004-0813-500,...
File:Brno listopad 3.jpg
Brno listopad 3.jpg
File:Autumn Marian Valley.jpg
Autumn Marian Valley.jpg
File:Justiční palác v Brně.jpg
Justiční palác v Brně.jpg

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