Brno served as the capital ofMoravia from the Middle Ages until 1948, and remains the political and cultural hub of the South Moravian Region. Brno is an important centre of theCzech judiciary. TheConstitutional Court, theSupreme Court, theSupreme Administrative Court, the Supreme Public Prosecutor's Office, as well as state authorities, such as theOmbudsman[6] and the Office for the Protection of Competition, are all located here.[7] Brno is also an important centre of learning and higher education, with 10 universities, 29 faculties and a student population of over 65,000, as well as more than 60 secondary schools throughout the city.[8][9][10]
Brno consists of 29self-governing districts and 48 municipal parts, whose borders respect the boundaries of the districts.[24][25] The districts of Brno are:
Theetymology of the name Brno is disputed. It might be derived fromOld Czechbrnie, i.e. 'muddy', 'swampy'.[26] Alternatives are theSlavic verbbrniti ('to armour' or 'to fortify') or aCeltic origin. The latter theory would make itcognate with other Celtic words for hill, such as theWelsh wordbryn. Throughout its history, locals in Brno have also referred to their city in different languages, includingBrünn in German, ברין (Brin) inYiddish, andBruna inLatin. The town was also referred to as Brunn (/brʌn/)[27] in English, but this variant is no longer common today.[28] The asteroid2889 Brno was named after the city, as was theBren light machine gun. The latter was in wide use duringWorld War II, and its name derives from 'Brno' and 'Enfield', the site of theRoyal Small Arms Factory.[29][30]
The Brno basin has been inhabited sinceprehistoric times, as evidenced by a 2024 discovery of mammoth bones and prehistoric tools dating back 15,000 years.[31]Dolní Věstonice, a globally significantPaleolithic site, is located 30 km (19 mi) south of Brno.[32] Traces of Neanderthal activity were found atŠvédův stůl [cs] in the Moravian Karst, 10 km (6.2 mi) to the northeast.[33][34] The city's direct precursor was a fortified settlement,Staré Zámky [cs], established during theGreat Moravian Empire, which was inhabited from theNeolithic Age until the early 11th century.[35] The site of the Staré Zámky Hillfort is located 1.5 km (0.93 mi) northeast ofBrno-Líšeň. During the Great Moravian period, the Hillfort played a crucial role as a strategic hub, connecting the empire's centre with the ironworks in theMoravian Karst. Around the turn of the 9th and 10th centuries, the Hillfort experienced a catastrophic fire. Its remnants are protected as an archaeological monument.[36][37]
In the early 11th century, Brno was established as the seat of a non-ruling prince from theHouse of Přemyslid,[38] and it became one of the centres of Moravia, along withOlomouc andZnojmo. Brno was first mentioned in Cosmas'Chronica Boemorum, dating to 1091, when KingVratislaus II besieged his brother,Conrad, at Brno castle.[39] In the mid-11th century, Moravia was divided into three separate territories. Each had its own ruler, who came from thePřemyslids dynasty but was independent of the other two, and subordinate to theBohemian ruler inPrague. The seats of these rulers and thus the "capitals" of these three territories were the castles and towns of Brno,Olomouc, andZnojmo. In the late 12th century, Moravia began to reunify, forming theMargraviate of Moravia. From then until the middle of the 17th century, political power was divided between Brno and Olomouc, with Znojmo playing a tertiary role. Olomouc had a larger population than Brno and was also the seat of theDiocese of Olomouc, the sole bishopric in Moravia until 1777.[40][41] TheMoravian Diet, theMoravian Land Tables [cs], and theMoravian Land Court [cs] convened in both cities.[42][43] These assemblies made political, legal, and financial decisions.[38]
Before the 13th century, there were virtually no Germans living in the Bohemian Lands. Bohemia and Moravia-Silesia were inhabited by an essentially all-Slavic population.[44] In 1243, the separate settlements that made up Brno were consolidated into a single fortified settlement and granted a royal city charter by KingWenceslaus I of Bohemia.[45][46][47][48] As was common throughout Central and Eastern Europe at the time, the royal city charter was closely tied tothe arrival of German settlers and other migrants.[49]
Unsuccessful Swedish siege in 1645
Around the turn of the 13th century, merchants on the main market, now known asZelný trh, one of Brno's oldest squares, began building cellars to store food, wine, and beer. Although these vaults initially supported only local commerce, they became a vital part of the city's infrastructure and served as temporary shelters in wartime. They expanded over time, particularly in the Baroque period, and are now known as Labyrinth Under the Vegetable Market (Czech:Labyrint pod Zelným trhem).[50][51] In 1324, QueenElisabeth Richeza of Poland built theBasilica of the Assumption of Our Lady, where she is now buried, along with aCistercian convent, which later became anAugustinian Abbey.[52]
From the mid-14th century to the early 15th century, during the rule of the Moravian branch of the Luxembourg dynasty, Špilberk Castle served as the official seat of the Moravian margraves. One of them,Jobst of Moravia, was elected theKing of the Romans.[53][54] The Margraviate of Moravia was reunited under the Bohemian crown after his death.[55] During theHussite Wars, Brno was besieged by theHussites twice, in 1428 and in 1430. Both attempts to conquer the city were unsuccessful.
Coat of arms of the Margraviate of Moravia inBook of the state of lords with the picture of Brno (1670)
In 1641, during theThirty Years' War, the Holy Roman Emperor and the margrave of Moravia,Ferdinand III, ordered the permanent relocation of the Diet, the Land Court, and the Land Tables from Olomouc to Brno, asCollegium Nordicum had made Olomouc the primary target of the Swedish armies.[56] In 1642, Olomouc surrendered to theSwedish Army, which occupied it for eight years.[a] Brno, under the leadership ofJean-Louis Raduit de Souches, successfully resisted thesiege of Brno in 1645, the only Moravian city that succeeded in defending itself from the Swedes, who were commanded by Field MarshalLennart Torstensson. Brno subsequently served as the sole capital of the Margraviate of Moravia.
During the 18th century, Brno experienced a significanttextile industry boom, resulting in the rapid expansion of its suburbs and earning it the nickname "MoravianManchester".[59][60] Brno flourished economically through the end of the 19th century. The city infrastructure, includingsewer andwater supply systems, was improved, and the fortifications aroundŠpilberk Castle were reinforced. Rapidindustrialisation brought about poor housing and working conditions for factory workers.Child labour,tuberculosis, inhumanely long shifts, and unequal relations between employees and employers were commonplace.[61]
Battle of Austerlitz, 2 December 1805Špilberk Castlec. 1897
In December 1805, theBattle of Austerlitz was fought near the city; the battle is also known as the "Battle of the Three Emperors". Although Brno itself was not directly involved in the battle, the city was under French occupation, which conferred significant hardship on the local population. In the wake of the hostilities, there was a devastatingtyphoid fever outbreak due to the mild winter temperatures that year.[62] The French EmperorNapoleon Bonaparte stayed in Brno from 20 November to 12 December 1805.[63][64] The French returned in 1809 and occupied the city for four months after theBattle of Znaim.[65][66][67] Napoleon ordered the fortification around Špilberk Castle dismantled and leveled, and the Castle lost its military significance as a fortress.[68] These events are the theme of re-enactments that attract an international audience every year.[69]
In 1839, the first train arrived in Brno from Vienna via theEmperor Ferdinand Northern Railway. That marked the beginning ofrail transport in the Czech Republic andAustria.[70] Between 1859 and 1864, city fortifications were almost completely removed. In 1869, ahorsecar service began operating in Brno, marking it the firsttram service in what would later become the Czech Republic.[71]Gregor Mendel, an Augustinian monk and geneticist, conducted groundbreakinggenetics experiments with pea plants atSt. Thomas's Abbey in Brno during the 1850s.[72] The monastery served as a local hub for education, culture, and the arts, with a well-stocked library and other amenities. Mendel's work was not recognized during his lifetime, and he abandoned it after he was elected abbot of the monastery in 1868. Brno is home toMendel University, which has been located there since the mid-1990s, when the former University of Agriculture, the nation's oldest agricultural school, was renamed in his honour.
Tomáš Masaryk, the first president and founding father of Czechoslovakia, attended a German-language grammar school (German:Deutsches Ober-Gymnasium) in Brno between 1865 and 1869.[73] His school served as a military hospital during theAustro-Prussian War of 1866, which led to the creation of the dual monarchy ofAustria-Hungary. Although no major conflict took place in Brno during the war, the Prussian Army occupied the city following theBattle of Königgrätz. Several days later, a cholera epidemic that claimed the lives of more than 1,400 residents broke out.[74][75] Masaryk later became a proponent of a second Czech university, alongsideCharles University, which was established in Brno in 1919 and named after him.[76] TheMasaryk Circuit and Masarykova Street, connecting Liberty Square and the train station, are also named in his honour.
Leoš Janáček, ranked among most-performed opera composers in the world, accepted a chorister scholarship atSt. Thomas's Abbey in 1865.[77] He would spend the rest of his life in Brno, except for the period between 1872 and 1881 when he pursued advanced musical studies in Prague, Vienna, and Leipzig. He founded theBrno Organ School, which is now part of theJanáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts (JAMU), upon his return in 1881. Janáček had a profound impact on Brno and its cultural life. His legacy helped transform the city into a major cultural hub.[78][79] Owing to his significance to Brno's history, several places and institutions have been named in his honour. In addition to JAMU, there is also theJanáček Theatre, anopera house and the largest of the three theatres belonging to theNational Theatre Brno.[80][81]
At the turn of the 20th century, roughly two-thirds of Brno's residentsspoke German, and its suburbs and neighbouring towns were predominantly Czech-speaking.[82][83] Everyday life in the city was bilingual. The local German dialect, known asBrünnerisch, incorporated elements from both languages.[83] The end ofWorld War I brought about the partition ofAustria-Hungary, and more than three million Germans found themselves separated from Austria and under Czech control. After theCzechoslovak Republic was proclaimed on 28 October, 1918, theSudeten Germans asserted their right toself-determination and peacefully opposed the Czech military taking control of their homeland. Fighting broke out sporadically, resulting in casualties.[84]Moravia contained patches of "landlocked" German territory to the north and south. German-language islands and towns inhabited by German-speaking populations, surrounded by Czech speakers, were common, much like in Brno.[44]
Linguistic map of Czechoslovakia in 1930
Until 1918, the city of Brno was significantly smaller, and in administrative terms, it consisted only of the city centre. In 1919, two neighboring towns,Královo Pole andHusovice, along with 21 other surrounding municipalities, were annexed by Brno, creating Greater Brno (Czech:Velké Brno) in an effort to dilute the German-speaking population majority, which comprised approximately 55,000 residents, by adding Czech speakers from the city's vicinity.[85] A significant portion of the German-speaking population was Jewish, comprising nearly 12,000 individuals, including several of the city's better-known personalities, who made a substantial contribution to the city's cultural life.[85] Greater Brno was almost seven times larger in area, with a population of about 222,000 – before that, Brno proper had about 130,000 inhabitants.[86][87][88][89]
The size of Brno's German population was virtually unchanged in the1930 census, the last census before the war, when 200,000 residents declared Czech nationality, and approximately 52,000 identified as German. Both groups included Jewish citizens.[85] Although Czechoslovakia experienced a peaceful and prosperous decade during the 1920s, ethnic tensions escalated in the 1930s following the onset of theGreat Depression. Hitler's rise to power further inflamed the situation. Particularly when theSudeten German Party became the second-largest party in Czechoslovakia, and it became known that the party received financial support from Berlin.[84][90] During theinterwar period, Brno served as the capital of the administrative region of Moravia (Czech:Země Moravská) from 1921 to 1928, and as the capital of Moravia-Silesia (Czech:Země Moravskoslezská) from 1928 to 1948. The city emerged as the preeminent site of modernist architecture during this period.[91][92][93]
Part of the civilian population welcomes German troops with theNazi salute in Brno, 16 March 1939.
During theGerman occupation of the Czech lands between 1939 and 1945, all Czech universities were closed by the Nazis, including those in Brno. TheFaculty of Law became the local headquarters of theGestapo, and the Nazis used the Kounic Residence Hall at Masaryk University as a political prison for anti-fascists. Along with thefiring range in Kobylisy, the Kounic dormitories were the most frequently used execution grounds in theProtectorate.[30] About 35,000 Czechs and some American and BritishPOWs were imprisoned and tortured there; about 800 civilians were executed or died.[94][95][96][97] The executions were public.[98][99][100] The Nazis also operated asubcamp of theAuschwitz concentration camp, which mainly held Polish prisoners, an internment camp forRomani people in the city, and aforced labour "re-education" camp in the present-day district ofDvorska.[101][102][103]
Air strikes and artillery fire killed some 1,200 people and destroyed 1,278 buildings.[106][107] More than 12,000 buildings, or about half of the city's building stock, were damaged.[108][109] In the wake of the occupation by theRed Army on 26 April 1945 and the end of the war, PresidentEdvard Beneš arrived in Brno and delivered a speech demanding theexpulsion of Germans.[110][111][112] Subsequently, beginning on 31 May 1945, remaining German inhabitants, comprising over 20,000 individuals, weremarched 64 kilometres (40 miles) to theAustrian border.[113][114][115] According to testimony collected by German sources, about 5,200 of them died during the march.[116] Later Czech estimates put the death toll at about 1,700, with most of the fatalities attributed to an epidemic ofshigellosis.[117] In 2015, seventy years after the end of World War II, the city council issued a formal apology and expressed regret about the expulsion of German residents.[118] The event is commemorated every year.[119]
Countless monuments and historic buildings fell into disrepair and ruin during the decades-long communist rule. Some were left abandoned, deteriorating beyond repair, and others were razed to the ground.[122] Following theVelvet Revolution of 1989, a substantial portion of Brno's workforce shifted from the manufacturing industry to services and light industry. In particular, Brno became theinformation technology centre of the Czech Republic. New industrial areas sprang up on the outskirts of the city, such asČernovická terasa [cs] east of the city. The city has also experienced a significant cultural renaissance and historic revival.[123]
Brno is situated at the confluence of theSvitava andSvratka rivers, located between theBohemian-Moravian Highlands and theDyje–Svratka Valley in the southeastern part of the Czech Republic. The city is at the crossroads of ancient trade routes, which have linked northern and southern Europe since time immemorial. Brno is historically closely connected with Vienna, which lies 110 km (68 mi) to the south.[124] The city is 21.5 km (13.4 mi) in diameter east to west with a total area of 230 km2 (89 sq mi).[124] Wooded hills surround Brno on three sides. About 28% of the city area, or 6,379 ha (15,763 acres), is forested.
The city is relatively low-lying, with elevations ranging between 190 m (623 ft) and 497 m (1,631 ft). The highest peak within the municipal area is Kopeček Hill, at 479 m (1,572 ft), and the highest elevation overall isÚtěchov, located on the border withVranov. Brno is located within theDanube basin. The length of the Svratka River waterway through the city is about 29 km (18 mi), and the Svitava River's waterway is about 13 km (8 mi).[2] Several smaller streams flow through Brno, including theVeverka Creek [cs], thePonávka [cs], and theŘíčka [cs]. Of note is theBrno Reservoir, as well as numerous ponds, and other standing bodies of water, such as thereservoirs in theMarian Valley [cs][125] and the fishpondŽebětínský rybník [cs].
Brno has a moderate climate and moderate air quality.[2][126][127] No severe weather events or disasters have been recorded.[2] Under theKöppen climate classification, Brno has anoceanic climate (Cfb) for −3 °C original isoterm,[128] but near the −2.5 °C average temperature in January, the coldest month. It is classified as ahumid continental climate (Dfb) in the updated classification, characterized by cold winters and warm to hot summers.[129] A warming trend has been observed over the past two decades, and summer days with temperatures above 30 °C (86 °F) are relatively common.[130] The average temperature is 9.4 °C (49 °F), and the average annual precipitation is approximately 505 mm (19.88 in) with an average of 150 rainy days. Average annual sunshine hours are 1,771 hours, and the prevailing wind direction is northwest.[2] Weather data from 1961 to 1990 is tabulated in the weather box below.
Brno is astatutory city, consisting of 29 administrative divisions known as city districts.[142] The highest body of self-government is the Brno City Assembly.[143] The city is headed up by themayor, who has the right to use the mayor's insignia and represents the city externally. As of 2025, the mayor isMarkéta Vaňková [cs] of theCivic Democratic Party (ODS).[144] The executive body is the city council and local councils of the city districts; the city council has 11 members, including the mayor and four deputies.[145] The assembly of the city elects the mayor and other members of the city council, establishes the local police, and is also entitled to grant citizenship of honour and the Awards of the City of Brno.[143]
The head of the Assembly of the City of Brno in personal matters is the Chief Executive, who, according to certain special regulations, carries out the function of employer of the other members of the city management.[146] The Chief Executive is directly responsible to the mayor.[147]
Brno proper forms a separate district, theBrno-City District, surrounded by theBrno-Country District. The city is divided into 29 administrative divisions (city districts) and consists of 48cadastral areas. The "Brno-City District" and "Brno-Country District" are not to be confused with the "city districts" of Brno. The city districts of Brno vary widely by both population and area. The most populous city district of Brno isBrno-Centre, which has over 91,000 residents, and the least populous isBrno-Ořešín andBrno-Útěchov, with about 500 residents. By area, the largest district isBrno-Bystrc (27.24 square kilometres; 10.52 sq mi) and the smallest one isBrno-Nový Lískovec (1.66 square kilometres; 0.64 sq mi). Brno is the home to the highest courts of theCzech judiciary. TheSupreme Court is on Burešova Street,[148] theSupreme Administrative Court is on Moravské náměstí (English:Moravian Square),[149] theConstitutional Court is on Joštova Street,[150] and the Supreme Public Prosecutor's Office of the Czech Republic is on Jezuitská Street.[151]
According to the 2021 census, Brno had a population of 398,510 inhabitants.[152] The city experienced the most significant population growth in the 19th century during theIndustrial Revolution and afterWorld War I, when it annexed nearly two dozen surrounding municipalities to create Greater Brno.[86]
The largest ethnic groups in the 2021 census wereCzechs (44.60%),Moravians (14.08%),Slovaks (1.74%),Ukrainians (1.04%), Russians (0.36%),Vietnamese (0.35%), andPoles (0.10%). About 26% of respondents did not specify their nationality. In the 2001 census, with different reporting requirements, 76.1% identified as Czechs and 18.7% as Moravians.[154] And in the 1991 census, 35.8% identified as Czechs and 60.9% as Moravians.[155] The outcome of the 1980 census is included for historical completeness. Censuses conducted under communist rule in Czechoslovakia were heavily politicized, particularly concerning the registration of nationality and religion. Beyond manipulating the categories and responses, the communist regime also controlled the dissemination of the census data itself.[156]
As of August 2025, foreign nationals accounted for about 66,415, or about 16.7% of Brno's population. Out of that total, approximately 18,839 had permanent residency, and 47,576 had a temporary status.[157] The following nationalities had the most significant presence:
After World War II, the site ofFlugmotorenwerke Zweigwerk inBrno-Líšeň became theZetor factory.[106] Though it initially operated as a subsidiary ofZbrojovka, it became an independent manufacturer of tractors and agricultural equipment.[158] At its peak in the 1970s, Zetor manufactured more than 70,000 tractors annually and employed thousands of people.[159] The iron foundry, which was part of the site, was later acquired by the German companyHeunisch-Guss [de]. Zbrojovka itself, which once employed over 10,000 people, went bankrupt in the early 2000s and was subsequently acquired byČeská Zbrojovka.[160][161][162][163] The entire group is now namedColt CZ Group SE after it acquiredColt Holding in 2021 and rebranded itself.[164][165]
There has been a significant shift in the local economy since theVelvet Revolution in 1989. Many new companies were created or spun off from state enterprises as part of theprivatization process, while several others ceased to exist entirely.[166] Before 1990, manufacturing and machine-building companies were pillars of Brno's economy. Since then, the city's economy has largely realigned itself with market demand for light industry, logistics, and services. Brno later gained some traction in newer engineering industries, especially insoftware development. After the turn of the millennium, foreign technology companies began to establish subsidiaries in Brno. Several Czech companies, with both local and global reach, also have headquarters in the city.[167][168]
Tram service is the backbone of public transport in Brno.
Brno's public transit network is extensive. There are 11tram lines, 13trolleybus lines, and 47 bus routes.[180][181] Trams, locally known asšaliny, are so ubiquitous that Brno has been nicknamed Šalingrad.[182][183] They first appeared in 1869 with the premiere of ahorse-drawn tram on the territory of the Czech Republic. The trolleybus fleet, with 157 vehicles, is the largest in the nation.[184][185] Local public transit integrates with regional transit into one system, IDS JMK,[180] and links surrounding municipalities to the city.[186] Its operator,Dopravní podnik města Brna [cs], also operates a ferry on theBrno Reservoir.[187] A visitorminibus provides sightseeing tours of the city.[188] In 2024, more than half of Brno's residents relied exclusively or almost exclusively on public transit. Approximately one-third of the population relied on personal motor vehicles. Pedestrians and cyclists/scooter riders accounted for 10% combined.[189] The base 60-minute fare, valid for rides within the city, is 25 CZK (approx. €1).[190]
Tickets can be purchased at vending machines, at newsstands, through the operator's website or app, or through SMS from a domestic phone number. Various discounts, subsidies, and exemptions, including discounted monthly, quarterly, or annual passes (Czech:Šalinkarta), are available.[186] In 2022, about 32,000 residents applied for a subsidy available on the annual pass. That discounted the pass from CZK 4,750 (€195) to CZK 3,325 (€137). The city allocated CZK 54 million (€2.2 million) for this benefit. With the annual pass, another adult and up to three children under 15 ride free on weekends.[191] In 2022, Dopravní podnik města Brna converted to electronic-only passes. In 2023, approximately 153,000 prepaid passes were sold, and 70% of passengers used a Šalinkarta pass.[192][193] Brno operates a night-time bus service, which is unique in the Czech Republic for its regular central meeting point of all lines. Over the past 25 years, more than 150 million passengers have used this service. The busiest nights are Friday and Saturday, when 22 buses serving 11 bus routes transport approximately 20,000 passengers.[194][195][196]
A railway service started in 1839 on theBrno–Vienna line, the first operational train line in the country.[70] Today, Brno is a transnational railway hub with two train stations, several intermediate stops, and 24 regional train lines.[197][198] There are 13 direct rail connections to national destinations and 21 non-stop international routes.[199]Brno hlavní nádraží, the main railway station, sees about 50,000 passengers and 500 trains every day, and is the hub of regional train travel.[200] The historic station building is outdated and has insufficient operating capacity.[200] Areferendum about the future location of the station was held twice, first in 2004 and again in 2016.[201][202] Although an overwhelming majority of residents wanted to keep the main train station in its current location, the referendum results are not binding due to low turnout.[203] In 2024, the Czech Ministry of Transport approved the construction of a new main railway station on the site of the currentBrno dolní nádraží [cs] station. The project is scheduled for completion in 2035.[204][205]
Brno-Tuřany Airport is the second busiest airport in the Czech Republic[206]
Brno is also a motorway node. Twomotorways on the southern edge of the city, theD1 and theD2, connect Brno withOstrava andPrague, as well asBratislava, respectively.[207] The D1 and D2 interchange is one of the busiest junctions in the Czech Republic with up to 80,000 vehicles passing through daily.[208] Further beyond the city limits is theD52, which leads toVienna. Another planned motorway, theD43, will connect Brno to northwestern Moravia.[209] Amotorway ring, theI/42 [cs], is under construction to divert traffic around the city.[210][211] Several road tunnels have been built, at Pisárky, Husovice, Hlinky, and Královo Pole, as part of the I/42 project, with more planned.[212][213] Brno utilizes a zone-based parking system, offering free parking to residents and charging visitors for parking. The historic city centre is subject to more restrictions.[214] Additionalcar parks, including underground, are being built to alleviate congestion.[215] In 2024, there were approximately 598 cars per 1,000 residents in Brno, with about nine cars added per thousand inhabitants each year.[189] Brno utilizes a traffic management system that integrates real-time data and prioritizes public transit to reduce congestion and air emissions.[216]
Brno-Tuřany Airport is an international airport located about 7.5 km (5 mi) southeast of Brno's city centre. In 2024, it recorded a passenger volume of 749,513 and a cargo throughput of 11,803 tonnes (26,021,000 lb), a slight increase over the previous year.[217][218][219] Two major carriers,Ryanair andAegean, and other airlines, includingSmartwings,AeroItalia andAir Montenegro, operate scheduled services to European destinations, but the airport primarily serves seasonal charter flights.[220][221] Brno-Tuřany also serves as a police helicopter base, the only one outside of Prague.[222] There is also the municipalMedlánky Airport, which serves as a hub for ultralight general aviation and recreational activities, includinghot air balloon flying,gliding, andmodel aircraft.[223][224] The airport is home to Aeroklub Brno-Medlánky, which also operates the airfield.[225][226]
Cycling is a popular and widespread activity in Brno, due to the city's favorable topography. Despite Brno's car-centric layout and limited availability of bike lanes, 4% of the city's residents use bicycles as a means of transportation.[227][228][229] There are seven well-maintained bicycle paths, including those along the Svratka and Svitava rivers, totaling 114 kilometres (71 mi). Regional bike routes include a 76 km (47 mi)bikeway toVienna.[230] Additionally, several hiking trails maintained by theCzech Tourist Club (KČT) pass through or near Brno, including theStezka Českem [cs] national trail and numerous local marked trails.[231][232][233] As of 2025, twobicycle-sharing companies operated in Brno:Nextbike andRekola.[234]Bolt andLime operate a fleet of rental scooters.[235] In 2024, approximately 16,000 residents used bike-sharing services for 160,000 journeys, covering a distance of 276,000 kilometres (171,000 mi).[227][234]
People wearing the traditional Moraviankroje (Moravian national folk costumes) at a folk festival in Líšeň
In 2023, the city spent approximately CZK 1.73 billion (€71 million) on culture. A university city with approximately 65,000 students, Brno is home to numerous museums, theatres, and other cultural institutions, and hosts a variety of festivals and cultural events. On average, Brno spent CZK 3,878.5 (€160) per capita on culture annually, significantly ahead of cities such asOstrava (CZK 3,137.74),Olomouc (CZK 2,812.07), andPrague (CZK 1,790.51).[236] Brno features a rich cultural life, with a diverse range of institutions and artists. More than 11,000 entities and approximately 21,000 residents (comprising about 12% of Brno's economy) are engaged in creative industries and culture. The estimated annual turnover of the entire sector exceeds CZK 24 billion (€990 million).[237]
Brno has experienced a significant cultural "rebirth" since theVelvet Revolution of 1989. The façades of historical monuments have been repaired, and various exhibitions, shows, and other events are being established or expanded. In 2007, a summit of 15 presidents of EU Member States was held in Brno.[238] Despite its urban character, some of the city's districts still preserve traditional Moravian folklore, including folk festivals featuring traditional Moravian costumes, local wines, folk music, and dances, held in several city districts, includingŽidenice,Líšeň, andIvanovice.[239][240][241] A local dialect,Hantec, originated in Brno. While the dialect itself is no longer in common use, certain words are still used,[242] such asšalina (the common local term for a tram),štatl, (the city centre), androla, (a railway station).[243]
Ignis Brunensis fireworks festival on theBrno Reservoir (2010)Historicalhorse-drawn tram at the festival called "Brno – City in the Centre of Europe"
The largest festival in Brno is the Ignis Brunensis (Latin for "Flame of Brno") fireworks competition and drone show, held annually in June as part of the "Brno – City in the Centre of Europe" festival.[244] Ignis Brunensis is the largest event of its kind in Central Europe, with over 1.3 million attendees in 2014.[245][246][16]Cinema Mundi was an international film festival held annually at the end of winter between 2010 and 2016. Approximately 60 films competed for anOscar nomination in the category of Best Foreign Language Film.[247] It resumed in 2024 with its 8th edition.[248]Theatre World Brno is one of the largest theatre festivals in the Czech Republic. It is a collaboration between theNational Theatre Brno,Husa na provázku Theatre [cs], Municipal Theatre Brno, JAMU, and several other venues. It features dozens of performances by national and international ensembles.[249][250]
Other festivals held regularly in Brno include the Spilberk International Music Festival and the Summer Shakespeare Festival.[251][252][253] Every September, Brno hosts theSlavnosti vína wine festival to celebrate the harvest in the surrounding wine-producing region.[254] The Moravian Autumn festival, established as the Brno International Music Festival in 1966, is among the highest-profile cultural events in the Czech Republic, bringing leading international orchestras, chamber ensembles and soloists to Brno.[255][256] The Janáček Brno festival is an international opera and music festival that celebrates the works of Leoš Janáček and other Czech composers, including Antonín Dvořák. Performances are often televised and broadcast on the radio.[257][258]
Brno also hosts historical reenactments and commemorative events. The reenactment of theBattle of Austerlitz draws over 1,000 attendees from more than a dozen countries each year.[259] Another historic reenactment and parade is the Day of Brno, which commemorates the day when Brno successfully repelled the Swedish army during the Thirty Years' War. It features a re-enacted battle at the Špilberk Castle and a parade in historical uniforms through the city centre.[260] The Annual Pilgrimage of Reconciliation commemorates theexpulsion of German residents and the so-calledBrno Death March. The Reconciliation March is now part of the Meeting Brno festival.[261][262] It was first held in 2015 and has grown significantly in size, with 13,000 attendees in 2023.[263] In addition to the Brno International Folklore Festival, several Brno districts, such asMedlánky andČernovice, host their ownhody. This traditional Moravian village celebration combines local customs and festive activities. They are usually held in the summer and early fall, and feature folk costumes (Czech:kroj), traditional music, dancing, and a maypole.[264][265][266]
Brno features the oldest theatre building in Central Europe, theReduta Theatre, located onZelný trh, which bears witness to the city's long tradition of the performing arts. The first theatre plays in Brno likely took place in the 1660s at what was theCity Tavern, an early precursor to the Reduta Theatre. However, the first theatre building withopera boxes was constructed later, in 1733. The first documented theatre performance in the Czech language took place here in 1767. The play was calledZamilovaný ponocný (English:Watchman in Love) and was performed by the Baden Theatre Company.Mozart performed at the theatre with his sister Anna Maria (Nannerl) while his family spent Christmas in Brno that year.[267][268][269] A Mozart statue stands in front of the theatre, commemorating their visit, and the theatre'sMozart Hall is named in his honor.[270]
TheNational Theatre Brno (NdB) is the leading producer ofopera,drama, andballet in Brno.[271][272][273] NdB's first permanent presence was established in 1884. Today, theNational Theatre Brno also owns theMahen Theatre, which was built in 1882, theJanáček Theatre, built in 1965, and theReduta Theatre.[274] The composerLeoš Janáček is also associated with the National Theatre Brno. The Mahen Theatre was the first theatre building in Europe illuminated byThomas Edison'selectric light bulbs, which were a novelty at the time. A small steam-driven electric power plant was constructed near the theatre before Edison's visit to Brno in 1911.[275] TheBrno City Theatre, founded in 1945, is the most commercially successful ensemble in Brno.[276] The theatre's local performances are routinely sold out. It performs abroad as well.[277] The theatre's repertoire consists primarily of musical and dramatic shows.[278]
There is a variety of smaller theatre venues in Brno, including theBolek Polivka theatre, theHusa na provázku Theatre [cs],HaDivadlo [cs],Divadlo Radost [cs], andDivadlo Polárka [cs]. The Mahen Theatre was initially known as the City Theatre and, until 1918, hosted performances exclusively in German; it was not part of the National Theatre of Brno at that time. Between 1971 and 1978, some plays were hosted by theBrno Exhibition Centre while the Mahen Theatre underwent reconstruction.[279]
Alligators, crocodiles, and dragons are referenced heavily in Brno, due to a local legend dating back to the Middle Ages. According to one version of the legend, a frightening creature terrorized the residents of Brno. Unfamiliar with a crocodile, they referred to it as a dragon. They lived in fear until a young butcher devised a plan to kill the monster. He filled a cowhide with quicklime and sewed it up. After eating this, the crocodile attempted to wash down the bitter aftertaste with water until its stomach burst and it died. According to another version of the story, Margrave Matthias (later theHoly Roman Emperor) was fond of animals, and the Ottomans gifted him a live crocodile. As Matthias passed through the streets of Brno, the crocodile died, and the Margrave left it behind in the city, where it has been on display ever since at theBrno Old Town Hall [cs].[280]
Over the years, the creature became one of the mascots of Brno. A stuffed baguette is called a crocodile (Czech:krokodýl), as is the radio station, known as Radio Krokodýl. One of the localbaseball teams is namedDraci Brno (English:Brno Dragons), the rugby club isRC Dragon Brno, and theAmerican football team goes byBrno Alligators [cs]. AnIntercity train connection between Brno and Prague is namedBrněnský drak (English:Brno dragon). The 2024 Christmas season featured a dragon clothed in a neon jumper spewing flames. The particular specimen on display in the Old Town Hall passage is a female Nile crocodile of unknown age, about 5 m (16 ft) in length, and weighing 200 kg (440 lb). Its skin has been reinforced with metal and a plaster cast.[280]
Old Town Hall in Brno
Next to the crocodile is a wagon wheel, another symbol of the city. According to the legend, a man made a wager that he could fell a tree inLednice, 50 km (31 mi) from the city, craft a wheel out of it, and roll with it to town all within a single day. Since the feat was deemed to be impossible, the man was believed to have made a pact with the devil, was ostracized, and died penniless as a result.[280]
Another local legend dates back to thesiege of the city by the Swedish army during theThirty Years' War in 1645. The standoff was at a stalemate, and the Swedish marshalLennart Torstensson declared that he would withdraw if the city did not surrender to him by noon. The bell ringer at theCathedral of Saints Peter and Paul on Petrov Hill tricked the Swedes by sounding noon an hour early. In keeping his word, Field Marshal Torstensson and his army left.[281] As a historic tribute to the Swedish siege, the bell at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul still rings noon an hour early, at 11 o'clock. TheBrno astronomical clock releases a glass ball at 11 a.m. every day to commemorate the heroic defense of the city. On special occasions, a glass ball rolls out every hour. As the hour approaches, the clock is typically surrounded by throngs of people hoping to catch one of the glass balls as a souvenir.[282]
The most significant museum in Brno is theMoravian Museum, the largest in Moravia and the second-largest in the Czech Republic.[283] The museum was founded in 1817, and its collections comprise over 6 million pieces.[283] The most extensive public library in Brno is theMoravian Library. With approximately 4 million volumes, it is the second-largest library in the Czech Republic.[284] The most extensive gallery in Brno is theMoravian Gallery, which again ranks second in the Czech Republic and is the largest in Moravia.[285]
One section of the Moravian Museum, theAnthropos Pavilion, is related to the earliest history of humanity and prehistoric Europe. Brno is also home to one of the largest technical museums in the Czech Republic, which hosts 17 permanent displays charting the advance of science and technology, accompanied by various models and restored machinery.[286] The museum also hosts multiple short-term exhibitions that complement its emphasis on metallurgy, cutlery, mechanical music, steamships, clockwork, and water machines.[287]
Brno is home to 10 universities and more than 60 secondary schools.[8][9][10] In 2024, over 65,000 students were enrolled in Brno's higher education institutions.[9] The student population has increased by 6.4% over the past five years, reversing the downward trend that had persisted through the 2010s, and now one in six Brno residents is a student.[288] The city is also home to severalresearch and development institutions, including theCentral European Institute of Technology (CEITEC) and theInternational Clinical Research Center (ICRC).[289][290] While classes taught in English are subject to tuition fees, instruction in Czech is free to everyone, including international students. The three most prominent universities in the region,Masaryk University,Brno University of Technology, andMendel University in Brno, all participate in the Erasmus programme.[291]
With over 35,000 students,Masaryk University, also known as MUNI, is the largest university in Brno. Founded in 1919, it comprises ten faculties, 400 study programmes, over 190 departments, institutes, and clinics.[292][293][294] MUNI consistently ranks among the top 500 universities globally and second, afterCharles University, in the Czech Republic.[295][296][297] TheBrno University of Technology, VUT, was established in 1899 and is now one of the largest technical universities in the Czech Republic, with approximately 18,000 students. It ranks among the top 41% of universities globally and fifth in the nation.[298]Viktor Kaplan, the inventor of theKaplan turbine, spent nearly 30 years at theGerman Technical University in Brno, a precursor institution that closed after World War II in 1945.[299]
TheMendel University, or MENDELU, was established in 1919 and is named afterGregor Mendel, the founder of genetics, who developed hisrevolutionary scientific theories in Brno. It focuses on life sciences and has over 10,000 students.[300][301] It ranks 9th in the Czech Republic and 1267th globally (177th in Plant and Animal Science).[302]
The Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul and Dietrichstein Palace viewed from the tower of the Old Town HallVilla Tugendhat, protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Old Town Hall (Czech:Stará radnice), dating back to approximately 1240, is the oldest secular building in Brno and has been registered as a national cultural monument since 2024. Its observation deck is 63 metres above ground, and the central passageway houses the Brno dragon and a cartwheel, both symbols of the city.[316] Špilberk Castle, originally a royal seat founded in the 13th century, became a fortress and later a prison from the 17th century onwards (e.g., theCarbonari). Today, it is one of the city's major landmarks.[58][317] The park and gardens around the castle, established in 1861, are notable for their landscaping, as well as an observation point also known as the Špilberk Arbour.[318][319]
Another key landmark is theCathedral of St. Peter and Paul, built during the 14th and 15th centuries in place of an 11th-century chapel.[320] It was completed in its present form with twoneo-Gothic towers in 1909.
Veveří Castle, about 20 km (12 mi) from the city centre, is the third-largest historic monument in Brno.[19][318] Founded in the Middle Ages as a hunting lodge for the Moravian margraves, it is among the largest and oldest castles in the Czech Republic. Its last owner was BaronMaurice de Forest, an early motor racing driver, aviator, and close friend ofWinston Churchill, who visited the castle several times.[321][322][323]
TheBrno Ossuary is the second largest in Europe after theCatacombs of Paris.[324] Another smaller ossuary is theCapuchin Crypt, which housesmummies of Capuchin monks and other notable figures of their era, including architectMořic Grimm [cs] and the mercenary leaderBaron Trenk.[325] TheLabyrinth under Zelný trh, a system of underground corridors and cellars dating back to the Middle Ages, have historically served as beer and wine cellars, food storage, and wartime shelters, and have more recently become a tourist attraction. They were previously not as interconnected as they are now, following an extensive reconstruction completed in 2009.[326][327]
Brno was home to a sizable Jewish community since at least the 13th century. The city is home to a functionalist synagogue built between 1934 and 1936, and the largestJewish cemetery in Moravia.[328] Tombstones and other cemetery artifacts date back to 1349.[328] It is estimated that the Jewish community comprised about 12,000 individuals in 1938. Only about 1,000 of them survived theHolocaust andNazi persecution duringWorld War II.[328] The cemetery and the synagogue are maintained by Brno's remaining Jewish community.[329] The onlymosque in the Czech Republic, founded in 1998, is also located in Brno.[330]
Lužánky is the oldest public park in the Czech Republic, established in the late 18th century byEmperor Joseph II.[337]Denisovy sady [cs], founded in the early 19th century, was the first public park in the Czech Republic to be established by public authorities.[338] More recent additions include theBrno astronomical clock and theAZ Tower, commissioned in 2013, and at 111 metres (364 ft), the tallest building in the Czech Republic.[339][340]
^Florek, Dr, Stan; Kowalski, Charlotte (5 November 2022)."Dolni Vestonice - Archaeological Site".The Australian Museum.Archived from the original on 17 February 2025. Retrieved13 October 2025.
^Peterka, Martin (1 November 2019)."Hillfort Staré Zámky".Cyril and Methodius Route - Cultural Route of the Council of Europe. Retrieved3 October 2025.
^Kroupa, PhDr., Petr; Šlapeta, Prof. Ing. Arch. DrSc., Vladimír; Loutocká, Ing. Arch., Vlasta; Ambroz, PhDr., Miroslav; Musil, Mgr., Zdeněk (17 March 2012)."History of the city from "Brno — The City Of Bauhaus Spirit""(PDF). Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic.Archived(PDF) from the original on 26 January 2025. Retrieved1 November 2025.Present-day Brno began to develop below a princely castle bearing the same name in the 11th and 12th centuries as a concentration of craftsmen's and merchants' settlements. In the 13th century the existing merchants' settlements grouped together, fortified themselves and the King of Bohemia awarded them town privileges in 1243. German, Romanic and Jewish merchants also lived in Brno alongside the Slavs.
^Tučková, Kateřina (2014).Fabrika: příběh textilních baronů z moravského Manchesteru [The Story of Textile Barons of the Moravian Manchester] (in Czech) (1st ed.). Brno: HOST (published 1 December 2014).ISBN978-80-7027-278-7.
^Loskotová, Ph.D. PhDr., Irena; Menšíková, PhDr., Miroslava (25 October 2020)."Epidemie cholery v Brně v roce 1866".Muzeum města Brna. Retrieved15 October 2025.
^abcEva Hahn, Hans Henning Hahn:Die Vertreibung im deutschen Erinnern. Legenden, Mythos, Geschichte. Schöningh, Paderborn 2010,ISBN978-3-506-77044-8, p. 370.
^Menšíková, PhDr., Miroslava (6 June 2025)."Vystěhování Němců z Brna".encyklopedie.brna.cz. Muzeum města Brna. Retrieved15 October 2025.
^Menšíková, PhDr., Miroslava (29 June 2023)."Sussane Rybnicky".encyklopedie.brna.cz. Muzeum města Brna. Retrieved15 October 2025.
^Bundesministerium für Vertriebene, Flüchtlinge und Kriegsgeschädigte & Theodor Schieder eds.: Die Vertreibung der Deutschen aus Ost-Mitteleuropa. Vorarbeiten Fritz Valjavec. Teil 4: Die Vertreibung der deutschen Bevölkerung aus der Tschechoslowakei. Bonn, 1957, 2 Bände.
^Gabzdilova, Sona (2011).The 1950 census in Slovakia, the Hungarian minority and the historical context (in Slovak). Vol. 59. Bratislava, Slovakia: HISTORICKÝ ÚSTAV SLOVENSKEJ AKADÉMIE VIED, V. V. I. (published February 2011). pp. 263–284.The study is devoted to questions of the census carried out in the Czechoslovak Republic in March 1950, especially in relation to the position of the Hungarian or Magyar minority and its development after 1918, with an emphasis on events after the end of the Second World War. The author offers a picture of the preparatory work, the actual census and its results in the context of the political and social situation in Czechoslovakia, characterized by the culmination of Stalinism and the so-called dictatorship of the proletariat. She documents the extent to which the official political line of the state or discriminatory measures can influence the declared ethnic identification of people.
^"Památkový Katalog".www.pamatkovykatalog.cz (Database search results) (in Czech). Národní památkový ústav. 2025-10-30. Retrieved2025-10-30 – via Czech National Heritage Institute.
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