Attractions and sights
Tugendhat Villa and other pieces of modern architecture
Historians of architecture claim this villa, built in 1928 by Mies van der Rohe, to be one of the most inspirational and important pieces of modern architecture worldwide. It became the fourth building built in the 20th century that was included in the UNESCO list of the World Heritage Sites. Tugendhat Villa is located at Černopolní Street, 15 minutes northeast from the centre. The stunning interiors cannot be seen without prior reservation, and the exterior visible from Street is not worth the trip, due to the unusual construction hiding most of the villa below the Street. In 2007-2008, the villa will undergo reconstruction and visits will be further limited.
Other notable pieces of modern architecture are the post office at Nádražní Street, the ultra-thin hotel Avion at Česká Street and the Komerční bank building at Svobody Square, all designed by Bohuslav Fuchs in 1920s and 1930s. Morava Palace at Divadelní Street 3 and the crematory at Jihlavská Street were both built in 1929 as a project of Ernst Wiesner. Those buildings are not open to public.
Špilberk castle and fortress
The fortress on the hill above the centre of the town attracts romantic lovers, as well as other visitors, because it offers a magnificent view of Brno and southern Moravia. The view tower is located in the southern part of the fortress; charming views of the town can be also seen from the park surrounding the castle. There is a museum with several expositions at Špilberk. Probably the most stunning one presents the history of the fortress that served as a cruel prison until the 19th century. The fact that many Italian revolutionaries were tortured here in that time makes Špilberk the most attractive place in Moravia for Italian tourists. The others exhibits are focused on different topics from Czech and Moravian history.
Mendel Museum of Genetics and Leoš Janáček’s Memorial
Gregor Mendel was one of the founders of modern genetics, and lived in the 19th century in an Augustinian abbey in the Old town of Brno, where there is now an exhibition dedicated to his life and works (website) (located exactly at Mendlovo námestí 1a). The admission charge for adults is 80 CZK (2.8 euro) and 40 CZK for children, students and seniors.
The house where music composer Leoš Janáček lived and worked is open to general public. The interiors, with a small exhibition, can be seen at Smetanova Street 14 for 20 CZK (0.7 euro).
The Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul and Denisovy Sady park
The cathedral of St Peter and St. Paul at “Petrov“ (which is the name for the whole place) is the second dominant feature of the cityscape and the seat of the Bishop of southern Moravia. Its exterior was rebuilt in a Neo-Gothic style in the beggining of the 20th century. Visitors may access the crypt from the 12th century and a museum dedicated to the life of Jesus Christ.
The park surrounding the cathedral, called Denisovy sady, is decorated with an obelisk dedicated in 1818 to Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor. During summer, live music is played one or two times a week in a “musical pavilion“ near the obelisk, and is usually enjoyed by dozens of dancing pairs. The park also offers a beautiful view of Špilberk and of the southern part of the town. The place was renovated in recent years and it received the Grand Prix of the Society of Czech Architects in 2004.
Old Town Hall and other historical sights
Built in the 13th century, the Old Town Hall is one of the oldest buildings in Brno. Its tower offers another interesting view over the whole town. In its entrance at Radnická Street, a man in a historical costume makes commemorative coins during weekends and holidays, which is an interesting procedure to look at. The coins can be bought for prices from 20 to 50 CZK (0.7 to 1.8€), depending on the metal they are made of. Mind the curved turret in the top of the portal of Old Town Hall, which was designed by an architect who was so drunk he could not draw a narrow line. But the architect was so respected among the masons that they finally built it curved.
The historical centre is filled with churches. Catholic Church of St. Thomas at Moravské Square was built in the middle of the 14th century, althoughit has already lost its former shape. Interiors of Church of St. Jacob at Jakubské Square are beautifully decorated. One of the biggest European ossuaries (human bones collected and arranged artistically) was found by accident below the church and will be made available to tourists in 2008. Protestant Church of Jan Amos Komenský at Komenského Square was built in 1870s at a place that was freed by destroying the town’s fortification several years previously; it is known as “the red church”, due to its pinkish exterior. A small orthodox church is located at Gorazdova Street 8.
The giant baroque fountain Parnas is located at Zelný trh Square. It was built between the years 1690 and 1695 by architect Jan Bernard Fischer of Erlach. Plague pillar at Svobody Ssquare is decorated with a sculpture of the Virgin Mary at its top and was erected in 1679 as a thanks for surviving a plague epidemic.
Jewish Brno
Until 1940s, Brno was a highly multicultural town where Bohemians, Germans and Jewish lived in a relatively peaceful neighbourhood. The only synagogue that remains from the past can be found at Skořepka Street 13, it was designed by architect Otto Eisler and built in 1936, which gives it an ultra-modernistic look. A huge Jewish cemetery is in Židenice quarter and can be reached by tram lines 10 and 8 (the „Židovský hřbitov“ stop).
