STATUTORY CITY OF BRNO

Brno is the second largest city in the Czech Republic. Thanks to its metropolitan character, its advantageous position and significance, the city is now the natural centre with a concentration of approximately 250 000 people.

This city lies in the southeastern part of the Czech Republic, and the border separating Bohemia from Moravia is formed by the western Bohemian-Moravian Uplands. Brno lies at the height of 223 meters above sea level at the confluence of the Svratka and Svitava Rivers, and this region mainly features fertile ravines in the river area and consequently it is one of the places in our country with the oldest history.

Its position was predetermined as a crossroads for trade routes. It was already settled in the Paleolithic era, but its first recorded mention dates back to the year 1091. Urban privileges were given to Brno in 1243, and thanks to its good position the development of Brno continued in the following centuries as well. After the city was successfully defended against the Swedes during the Thirty Years War, Brno became the capital of Moravia. The era of Napoleonic Wars was marked in Brno´s history by the battle of the Three Emperors, fought in the nearby town of Slavkov-Austerliz. In the 19^th century Brno experienced rapid development and was a very important industrial centre of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. In the 20^th century this substantial growth and all-round development continued and Brno became one of the country's most important centres of business, industry, science, technology, education and arts in Central Europe. In 1993 Brno celebrated its 750^th anniversary, and it is currently dominated by the mechanical engineering and metalworking industry, which together with electrical engineering represent more than 15 % of the Czech engineering capacity. Brno is a traditional centre of international trade, the meeting point of Western, Central and Eastern Europe. The Brno International Trade Fair and Exhibition Centre, with about 50 mostly international trade fairs and exhibitions held on its premises every year, is closely linked to the Brno World Centre.

The contemporary city can boast many interesting historical and cultural sights of interest - the Cistercian Monastery in Old Brno, Špilberk Castle, St. Peter and Paul Cathedral, St. Jacobs´s Church, the Old Town Hall with a well-known Brno symbol - a crocodile, the Baroque Ditrichstejn Palace and many others. Brno has a long theatrical tradition, perhaps the oldest theatre building is the one called Reduta, but Janáček´s and Mahen´s Theatres are among the best contemporary ones. Cultural visitors would also find here a philharmonic orchestra, a series of chamber and choral bodies, dozens of museums and art galleries, an astronomical observatory, a botanical garden, a ZOO and other cultural and social facilities that offer great opportunities for entertainment and a rich cultural and social life.

Brno is rich in its beautiful scenery and excellent leisure and sport facilities. Brno has grown considerably during the last decades and many former suburbs have been incorporated into the town, and now this city ranks not only among the most important centres in the Czech Republic but also in Central Europe.