Ostrava is a large city with many attractions, located in southern Bohemia, Moravia. Its agglomeration is now home to more than a million people. Ostrava was once the steel heart of Soviet Czechoslovakia.
History of Ostrava
This city was founded in the middle of the 13th century. It remained a small settlement of about a thousand people until significant deposits of quality coal were discovered near it in the late 18th century.
Ostrava experienced an industrial boom and a significant increase in population. In the mid-19th century factories were built, as well as the railroad, which connected the provincial town with the capital city of Vienna.
During the war in Nazi Germany, Ostrava, as a center of metallurgy, was subjected to total bombing by the Allies, and in the spring of 1945 there were fierce battles between the Soviet troops and the Nazis. After the war, the city once again became the center of metallurgy.
Top 8 attractions in Ostrava
Today there is no coal mining in the vicinity of Ostrava, and the metallurgical plants have been sold. The city’s authorities are developing tourism, and they are doing a good job. Be sure to visit this wonderful European city.
Miniuni Miniature Park
This park is located in the central part of Ostrava, it is loved by residents of the city and its guests with children. The park was founded at the beginning of our century and has been continually expanded and improved since then.
The park of miniatures is located on an area of one and a half hectares, there are sandy paths, around which are miniature copies of world-famous monuments of architecture, reduced by 25 times.
In front of you the Roman Colosseum and the Eiffel Tower in Paris, many copies of monuments from Europe, Africa and Asia, made by real masters. For children there is a railroad, festivals and exhibitions.
Masaryk Square
This is the main square of Ostrava, it is decorated with many sculptures, surrounded by beautiful facades of buildings. The most interesting monument on Masaryk Square is the Plague Column or Marian column, erected here in the early 18th century.
In the Middle Ages and modern times in Europe, this monument was erected in gratitude to God in the squares of cities that had survived plague epidemics. In Soviet times this column was removed from the square, but then it was brought back.
Here, on Masaryk Square, you can also see the Old Town Hall and a bust of the first president of Czechoslovakia, who did much for the independence of his country. At the end of the last century, the square was restored and put in order.
Vitkovice
Ostrava, despite its venerable age, has never been famous for its architectural sights of the Middle Ages, New Age or Modernity. It is an industrial city in the Czech Republic, which today has turned its factories into museums.
Excursions to the famous factories, which belonged to the Rothschilds in the 19th century, are sure to please both adults and children. Here you can see the old blast furnace, go up to it on a glass elevator, see the workers’ huts, etc.
The industrial complex operated for almost two centuries, today in Vitkovice you can visit the mine where the miners worked, the factories with blast furnaces where the workers worked, and the administrative buildings.
Stodolni Street
This street is one of the most loved and visited by tourists and citizens of Ostrava. It is located in the center of the city and is one of its calling cards.
On Stodolni Street, you find yourself in the center of a modern metropolis, where a bustling crowd walks around 24 hours a day. This is a great place for young people who want to have fun at the disco, get into a bar or nightclub, they are in every house here.
The whole street turns into one big disco when it gets late at night. Connoisseurs say that every local bar has its own twist. Local bohemia gathers here, an incredible number of beers are served, exhibitions and concerts are held.
Zabřeg Castle
This castle stands on the outskirts of Ostrava, in the area of the same name on the banks of the Odra River. The castle was first mentioned in documents of the early 16th century. It was originally built in the Gothic style, then there were elements of Renaissance and Baroque.
In the 1990s, the castle stood completely abandoned until it found buyers. The new owners renovated the old castle and turned it into a 4-star hotel at the very beginning of our century.
The hotel has rooms with interiors from different centuries, a fine restaurant with excellent European cuisine and a brewery that produces Czech beer according to recipes from the 16th century. Many other varieties of this drink are also served.
Old Town Hall
The town hall stands on Masaryk Square and is considered to be the most beautiful building there. It was built in the first half of the 16th century and faithfully served the city until the 30s of last century, when they built a new city hall.
At first the town hall had a round-shaped tower, but during the 18th century the tower was completely rebuilt, took the shape of a square and was decorated with a clock. At the same time, the facade of the town hall was remodeled in the baroque style.
In the 1930s the town hall was rebuilt again in the Empire style, and the second floor was built for various government offices. Later the town hall was given a Renaissance style, and today it houses a museum of local history.
Kravarzhe Castle
This castle belonged to a local noble family Benešovice, it was built in the 14th century in the Gothic style, and over the centuries has been repeatedly rebuilt, changing the architectural styles.
One day the owner of the castle would oppose the king and was deprived of his property. The castle was given to another nobleman who was distinguished by his diligence in the service of the king, but who had no means to maintain his new dwelling. The castle was deteriorating and crumbling.
Then the new owners often changed, and after World War II the castle passed into state ownership. In Soviet times, another sorrow awaited him – a fire. Today the castle has been restored and houses a museum.
Poruba district
It is the quietest urban area, where a lot of greenery grows and prestigious residential buildings are built. In the old days, loggers and their families lived here, hence the name of this village, which was annexed to Ostrava in the last century.
According to written sources, in the 14th century Poruba was a rich Czech village belonging to a noble local family. The owners were reverent about antiquity, so many of the local buildings have survived to this day.
Here you can see a large 16th-century castle, the Church of St. John the Baptist, the Church of the Holy Trinity and the Church of the Holy Trinity. It is also a place where you can visit the St. Nicholas church, a water mill, an old furniture factory, etc. One of the natural attractions of Poruba is a boulder of the Ice Age.
