Brno

Brno is the second-largest city in the Czech Republic and the capital of the South Moravian Region, sitting at the historic centre of Moravia. Known for its universities, functionalist architecture and major trade fairs, the city combines a compact medieval core with a strong technical and creative identity. Landmarks such as Špilberk Castle, the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul and the Old Town Hall shape its distinctive skyline.

The city's history is visible in its layered architecture, from Gothic and Baroque buildings around Zelný trh and Petrov to the modernist Villa Tugendhat, a UNESCO World Heritage site and icon of functionalism. Špilberk Castle overlooks the city from its hill, while the historic centre and its network of squares, churches and arcades remain the focus of everyday life.

Neighbourhoods around the centre each add a different character. The area near náměstí Svobody is busy with shops, cafés and nightlife, while Veveří and Královo Pole offer parks, university buildings and quieter residential streets. The city's tram and trolleybus network makes these districts easy to reach and explore.

Brno is an important centre for engineering, information technology, research and higher education, home to Masaryk University and the Brno University of Technology. The Brno Exhibition Centre hosts major international trade fairs, while events such as the Ignis Brunensis fireworks festival and motorsport at the Masaryk Circuit add to the city's event calendar.

For travellers, Brno offers a relaxed scale, a strong food and wine culture and good connections to Prague, Vienna and Bratislava. The surrounding South Moravian countryside, including the Moravian Karst and the Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape, makes the city a practical base for both leisure and business visitors.