Ostrava is an unusual city in the Czech Republic with a metallic soul

The Czech Republic is a cozy country where life flows smoothly among centuries-old palaces, ancient buildings and streets paved with paving stones. However, the city of Ostrava, despite its location in the Czech Republic, is a striking exception from this picture. This locality stands out for its businesslike and energetic character, which differs from the traditional appearance of Czech cities. Ostrava attracts tourists from all over the world with its unique atmosphere.

For a long time, Ostrava was famous for its metallurgical enterprises, and a museum was even created in one of the mines. In addition, the city is known for its brewing industry, which has become famous far beyond the borders of the Czech Republic.

Ostrava: History, Transformation and Cultural Diversity

Ostrava is a large population center and the capital of the Moravian-Silesian region in the Czech Republic, located close to the border with Poland. Recently, the city was known for its industrial activity, being considered one of the settlements with an unfavorable environmental situation. However, recently the situation has undergone dramatic changes: many metallurgical enterprises and mines have closed, and Ostrava is undergoing a transformation into a tourist and cultural center.

When planning a trip to Ostrava, it is important not to succumb to stereotypes that it is an exclusively industrial city without interesting places. This is far from true. The city is rich in history, its architecture is impressive with a variety of sacred, industrial and architectural objects, many of which have been successfully transformed into fascinating museums.

Practical information about the city:

• Located on the banks of the Ostravica River, where it meets the Opava and Odra rivers;
• Distance to the capital – 371 kilometers;
• Temperate climate with cool winters and moderately hot summers;
• The population is about 300 thousand people;
• The area of the city is almost 215 square kilometers;
• Ostrava has rail connections to many cities, including Prague, Katowice, Warsaw, Vienna, Krakow;

Historical overview

The first mention of the city of Ostrava dates back to 1267. In those days, on the territory of the modern city there was a village located along the Amber Trail, along which merchants traveled, following the route between the Baltic and the Mediterranean. In the 14th century, fortifications and a castle were built here. However, until the end of the 18th century, Ostrava remained an inconspicuous provincial town.

In the second half of the 18th century, a decisive event took place for the city - coal deposits were discovered, which led to the active development of the metallurgical industry. Coal mining continued until the end of the 20th century, but by 1994 Ostrava had completely changed its character, abandoning its status as a heavy metallurgical center.

Locals call Ostrava the "steel heart of the Czech Republic" due to the city's connection to the coal industry. In this regard, the indigenous population does not always express a positive attitude towards the city, claiming that there is polluted air and many industrial enterprises. However, tourists are attracted by the atmosphere of the living city and its dynamics.

When is the best time to visit Ostrava

Ostrava, as a city unusual for tourism, does not have a clearly defined “tourist season”. Considering the temperate climate in the Czech Republic in summer, it is recommended to choose the period from June to August for a trip to this amazing city. The second half of spring and early autumn are also excellent times for walking and sightseeing. Spring brings with it a variety of festivals and national holidays, while autumn is marked by theater premieres, biennales and cinematic events.

Ostrava sights

Masarykovo Nāmestė Square

One of the most important attractions of the city is Masaryk Square, which is not only the main square, but also its calling card. In the past it had a square shape, but after a number of reconstructions it acquired a more curved shape, reminiscent of the letter "L". This unique square is home to several statues, among which stands out the Marian Column, erected at the beginning of the 18th century as a sign of gratitude for ridding the city of the plague. Particularly noteworthy are the sculpture of St. Florian and the bust of President Masaryk, who gave the square its name.

Another landmark of Ostrava is the fountain, which elegantly throws streams directly from the asphalt, which becomes especially pleasant in the hot summer.

According to tourist reviews, the most picturesque place on the square is the Old Town Hall, currently serving as the Ostrava Museum. Also pay attention to the building of an ancient pharmacy, which has now been turned into a museum.

Silesian-Ostrava Fortress (Castle)

In photographs of famous places in Ostrava in the Czech Republic, the castle appears before us in its bright and elegant beauty, thanks to its white walls and red roof. The fortress is buried on a hill, exactly above the place where the rivers Lučina and Ostravica meet. This castle regularly hosts festivals, cultural events, and its basement offers visitors a torture museum, a witch museum, a doll exhibition and even an aquarium.

The castle was erected in the 13th century and, through many centuries, has survived several military invasions. Since the beginning of the 18th century, it belonged to the Wilczek family, which owned coal mines.

In the mid-20th century, the castle was nationalized, and in 1963 it was included in the list of cultural monuments of national importance.

Museum complex Dolni Vitkovice

If you decide to spend a day in Ostrava, Czech Republic, to fully immerse yourself in the city's metallurgical atmosphere, be sure to visit the former industrial complex, which has now been transformed into a unique museum complex. This facility is located almost in the very center of Ostrava. The entire technological process has been preserved here, including coal mining, iron production and coal coking facilities. In addition, you can visit the "Depth" mine, examine the high furnace and the puddling furnace - the first in the Austrian Monarchy.

Notable fact! Dolni Vitkovice is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The complex also has a cafe located at an altitude of 800 meters, making it the highest observation deck in Ostrava.

Ostrava Zoo

This unique zoological garden is one of the best in the Czech Republic. The total area of the zoo covers 103 hectares, where a rich flora and fauna from all over the world is presented: from bears and lynxes to lions, giraffes, as well as more than five hundred species of birds and reptiles. Here the animals are created conditions that are as close as possible to their natural habitat.

Interesting fact! About 350 thousand tourists visit this attraction every year.

Fauna of Ostrava Zoo

The zoo is divided into different thematic areas where you can dive into the jungle, explore the depths of the ocean, and observe the evolution of nature over thousands of years. The zoo also has a pavilion showcasing the delights of rural life. There is a special playground for children, as well as the opportunity to feed the animals. The cafe serves national cuisine to guests.

To ensure maximum comfort for visitors, given the impressive size of the zoo, an observation train runs through its territory.

Observation deck of the New Town Hall

The New Town Hall has become an indisputable symbol of the city of Ostrava and attracts attention with its exquisite architecture. The construction of the slender tower housing the observation deck, along with the five-story building, took several years. Work began in 1925 after a competition for the best city hall project. The goal for the building was clear: to create a functional, uncluttered, modern and stylish structure. The winner of the competition was local architect Vladimir Fischer.

Interesting fact! The observation deck is located at an altitude of 72 meters, making it the highest in the Czech Republic.

In addition, the tower has a clock whose dial is illuminated at night. There is a tourist office inside the city hall where visitors can obtain free maps of the city and detailed information about city attractions.

Stodolní, not just a street - the Living Soul of Ostrava

This is not just a street, but a real pearl of Ostrava. Located in the very heart of the city, Stodolni Street is a bright, noisy and cheerful artery where the night never falls asleep. Here you forget about medieval castles and narrow ancient streets, instead you will plunge into the atmosphere of dancing, music and fun.

In almost every building along the street you can find a cafe, bar or restaurant on the ground floor. Many of them are known for their original and memorable titles, such as "Sherlock Holmes" or "Black Spider". It seems that every evening the whole city converges on Stodolni Street to enjoy the unique atmosphere of this amazing place.