Ostrava: what's interesting about a city where coal mining stopped?

Ostrava

The Ostrava of today was founded in 1763, when hard coal was first discovered in the Burňa valley. The boom, which followed in the second half of the 19th century and in the first half of the 20th century, merged the Moravian and Silesian part of the town, and it rapidly absorbed the surrounding villages.

The oldest preserved building in town is the Saint Wenceslaus church built in 13th century, with the last reconstruction carried out between 1803 and 1839.

Also worth mentioning is the old town hall from 1539, rebuilt in the style of Baroque between 1737 and 1780.

However, Ostrava mainly prides itself in more recent architecture, for example the former slaughter house, built of raw bricks at the turn of the 19th century, or the new town hall, built in 1925–1930.

Darkov Spa

The source of mineral water with high percentage of iodium and sodium salts, utilised in therapy of the locomotive organs and for cu­ring of neurological problems. The spa with its large park is a part of the Karviná town.

Karviná town

In the Fryštát district, we may find the church of the Elevation of the Holy Cross from 14th century, decorated in the style of late Baroque at the beginning of 19th century. The empire castle was built on the foundations of a 14th century fortress between 1792 and 1800.

Těrlicko village

Těrlicko is one of the eldest settlements of the Těšínsko region, mentioned as early as in 1229. Nearby is an artificial lake of the same name, built in 1963. An old Jaškov inn, da­ting back to 1268, stands at the lakeside. 20 years ago, an ancient escape tunnel was discovered there.

Walking in the city

Close to the fork of Odra and Ostravice, you may find a natural preserve of Landek, a hill with rare vegetation of thermophilic plants and 150–years-old beech forrest. During an archaeologic research, a prehistoric campsite was uncovered, and the so-called Venus of Landek was found here. Several educational trails lead from Landek to the Petřkovice district of Ostrava.