Ostrava, the third largest city in the Czech Republic, is
situated in the northeast of the country and is the centre of the Moravian-Silesian
administrative region. It is very near the border with Slovakia
and Poland and lies on the banks
of the River Ostravice with wonderful views of the Beskydy Mountains.
The foundation of a town, which was the property of the Bishop of Olomouc, Bruno,
is first recorded in 1267. The settlement was created on the
amber trade route which merchants had used for centuries to travel between the
Baltic and the Mediterranean. In the late 14th century, town walls were added
and a castle was built. Today the only reminders of the walls are the name of
the street ‘Na hradbách’ (Wall Street) and fragments of stone near the Church
of St Wenceslas. Over the centuries the town suffered numerous fires and sieges
as well as periods of prosperity. A key moment in Ostrava’s history was the discovery
of coal in the late 18th century, which later led to
the development of the iron industry.
Ostrava has long since lost its industrial face and the last
coal was mined in 1994. The mines have been turned into mining
museums, and a whole host of mine buildings are awaiting redevelopment.
Ostrava’s industrial heritage includes many exceptional
pieces of architecture. In addition to mines and factories, visitors
can enjoy countless cultural, historical and other attractions,
which make several pleasant days spent in the city an unforgettable experience.
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