Things to do in Brno

About Brno

Brno is the second-largest city in the Czech Republic and serves as the historical capital of Moravia, distinguished by its functionalist architecture and underground ossuaries. Visitors can explore the UNESCO-listed Villa Tugendhat, a landmark of modern architectural design, or visit the hilltop Špilberk Castle that once served as a notorious fortress prison. The city is defined by a dense urban core where the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul dominates the skyline. Cultural life is anchored by institutions like the Janáček Theatre, while family-focused activity is centered at the VIDA! science center.

Good to know

1. 1

   Brno operates on a unique 'double-time' clock tradition where the bells of the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul ring noon at 11:00 AM to commemorate a tactical deception during the Thirty Years' War.

2. 2

   The city is home to a specific local dialect known as Hantec, a unique sociolect that blends Czech with German, Yiddish, and Romani influences.

3. 3

   Brno hosts the Brno Dragon, a preserved crocodile hanging in the Old Town Hall passage, which has been a local icon since the 17th century.

4. 4

   The city features one of the largest underground ossuaries in Europe, rediscovered beneath the Church of St. James in 2001.

5. 5

   Brno is a major hub for electron microscopy, producing approximately one-third of the world's electron microscopes.