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History
The following information is from the city of Brno’s website. For more information visit: http://www.brno.cz/
Brno, the Czech Republic’s second largest city, has a population of nearly 370,000 people. It lies in the central part of Europe and within its two hundred-kilometre radius there are other important European capitals: Prague, Vienna and Bratislava.
Brno is the metropolis of Moravia and an important tourist center for all who want to explore the natural and cultural beauties of the South-Moravian region.

To the north of Brno there is the protected area of the Moravian Karst (Moravský kras) and to the south stretch the Moravian vineyards with their typical wine cellars. The city is surrounded by beautiful mixed forests, which offer many opportunities for tourism and cycling.



Brno prides itself on many notable historic sites that show evidence of its rich cultural history.
Once established as a settlement of merchants eight centuries ago on the junctions of the rivers Svratka and Svitava, it withstood the pressure of both the Hussite and Swedish besiegement, witnessed Napoleon‘s military expedition to Slavkov, bore the cruel consequences of the Austrian defeat at the Battle of the Three Emperors, became an industrial centre of the Habsburg monarchy called "the Austrian Manchester".
In the twentieth century, Brno gained a character of a modern city thanks to the construction of new buildings in the functionalist style. The most important example of modern architecture in Brno is The Tugendhat Villa - a historic site inscribed on the UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage List.
Today Brno is a seat of universities and important judiciary institutions.

Brno offers many possibilities of cultural enjoyment in its numerous theatres, museums, cinemas and clubs. The Brno Exhibition Centre with its eighty-year tradition is a venue of many international trade fairs, exhibitions and congresses, and as such plays a significant role in the social and economic life of the whole city.
The City of Brno regularly holds various cultural events, festivals (e.g. "Brno - City in the Centre of Europe" associated with a fireworks competition "Ignis Brunensis") as well as some notable sporting events (Brno Grand Prix for road motorcycles). Brno is also a city of modern shopping and entertainment centers.

Holidays in the Czech Republic (2012)
Dates |
Holidays |
Explanations |
January 1 |
Restoration Day of the Independent Czech State |
Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia |
April 9 |
Easter Monday |
|
May 1 |
Labour Day |
International observances began with the Haymarket Riot in Chicago |
May 8 |
Liberation Day Czech Republic |
The end of World War II in Europe |
July 5 |
St Cyril and Methodius Day |
Slavic missionaries Cyril (Constantine) and Metod (Methodius) came to Great Moravia |
July 6 |
Jan Hus Day |
The anniversary of the martyrdom of Jan Hus |
September 28 |
St Wenceslas Day |
Day of the Czech statehood |
October 28 |
Foundation of the independent Czechoslovak State |
Marks the creation of Czechoslovakia in 1918. |
November 17 |
Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day |
Commemorating student demonstrations in 1939 and 1989 |
December 24 |
Christmas Eve |
Christmas presents are opened in the evening on Christmas Eve in Slovakia |
December 25 |
Christmas Day |
First Christmas Holiday |
December 26 |
St Stephens Day |
Second Christmas Holiday |
Brno Lifestyle l History l Trafic System in Brno l What to Bring l Links
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